Anyone who thinks Augusta is woefully out-of-shape with ballooning state budgets and piddling performance on everything from the quality of public education to the off-putting Maine business environment is in for some welcome news next week when fitness executive Ben Midgely is set on Tuesday to join the fray of candidates running for the Republican nod for Governor of Maine.
Kennebunkport resident Midgely is a Maine native who built a name for himself as chief executive and founding partner of Crunch Fitness and, prior to that, as president of Planet Fitness — both national gym chains.
Midgely will be the third entrepreneur to enter the race on the GOP side, following Falmouth real estate developer David Jones and Patten native and Gorham resident Owen McCarthy, who founded a medical technology firm. He will be the seventh declared candidate.
“Ben’s story is one of perseverance, hard work, and an unshakable belief in the American dream. Ben grew up in York County, with Maine values – integrity, resilience, and a deep love for family and community. He and his wife, Sonia, a Lyman native, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of three children,” his campaign announced in a media advisory on Friday.
Lauren LePage, former National Rifle Association Northeast representative and daughter of former governor and Second District congressional candidate Paul LePage, is running Midgeley’s gubernatorial campaign.
Midgely’s announcement speech on August 5 is scheduled for 11 a.m. at The Barn in Kennebunkport, where he is expected to introduce himself and lay out his vision for a new brand of leadership in the Blaine House.
