AUGUSTA, Maine — Former Maine Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason officially launched his campaign for governor on Wednesday, jumping into an already crowded Republican primary and pitching himself as the most experienced candidate in a field packed with political newcomers, activists, and repeat contenders.
Mason announced his bid through a YouTube video and an episode of his podcast, framing his candidacy around what he called “precision” and “institutional knowledge,” drawing a sharp contrast between himself and rivals he dismissed as political “outsiders” and “hobbyists.”
The former Senate leader also aligned himself with President Donald Trump’s political orbit, arguing that his value to Maine voters lies in knowing “exactly how to work with Donald Trump,” rather than attempting to imitate him, a not-so-subtle jab at rivals competing for the MAGA lane in the Republican primary.
As part of that strategy, Mason has hired Luke Thompson, a former ally of Vice President J.D. Vance, to serve as his campaign manager.
Mason served in the Maine Senate from 2010 to 2018, rising to Senate Majority Leader from 2014 to 2018. He is currently an Androscoggin County Commissioner and a partner at Dirigo Public Affairs, a lobbying and public affairs firm. This marks his second run for the Blaine House. In 2018, Mason finished second in the Republican primary.
His entry further expands what is already shaping up to be one of the largest gubernatorial fields in modern Maine history. The 2026 race is for an open seat, as Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is term-limited and is running for the U.S. Senate.
Republicans already in the race include healthcare executive Jonathan Bush, retired accountant Ken Capron, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles, GOP candidate David J. Foster, real estate executive David Jones, Maine State Senator James Libby, entrepreneur Owen McCarthy, former Crunch Fitness CEO Ben Midgley, and former selectman Robert Wessels.
The growing Republican field reflects the high stakes of the open-seat contest, with more than 20 candidates reported across parties. Early polling has shown Charles leading among GOP voters, with other contenders, including Jones, Bush, Libby and McCarthy, trailing in a fractured field.
Both Republican and Democratic primaries are scheduled for June 9, 2026, setting the stage for months of aggressive campaigning, ideological jockeying, and escalating competition as candidates battle to emerge from what is becoming a sprawling and volatile race for Maine’s highest office.
