AUGUSTA, Maine – Republican gubernatorial candidate Ben Midgley addressed supporters Saturday morning at the Maine GOP Convention, delivering a speech centered on his business background, criticism of state spending, and promises to cut taxes and reform welfare programs if elected governor.
Midgley opened by thanking convention organizers and introducing his family to the crowd, highlighting their role in supporting his campaign over the past eight months.
“Thank you, Matt and Billybob, for that very generous introduction,” Midgley told attendees. “It is great to be in front of so many proud Maine Republicans.”
He introduced his wife Sonia and their children, Alec, Cassie, and Brooke, calling family “the heart of Maine.”
Midgley said he and his wife have traveled extensively across the state since launching his campaign, estimating they have driven roughly 60,000 miles meeting with voters at GOP gatherings and town halls.
“We have been all over the state,” Midgley said. “We have been explaining in detail exactly how we are going to fix the issues that we’re dealing with.”
Emphasizes Non-Political Background
Midgley described himself as an outsider to government, emphasizing that he is neither a politician nor a lobbyist.
“I am not a politician. I am not a lobbyist. I am not a bureaucrat,” he said. “I’m from outside of that world, and I think that matters.”
He shared personal details about his early struggles, telling the audience he once relied on unemployment benefits and food assistance before building a career in the fitness industry.
Midgley said he worked his way up from cleaning gym equipment to eventually leading major fitness companies.
He highlighted his tenure as president of Planet Fitness and later as founder of Crunch Fitness Franchising, which he said grew to more than 500 locations in 46 states and six countries, generating more than $1 billion in revenue and creating approximately 15,000 jobs nationwide.
“It shows opportunity is there for anybody,” Midgley said. “You can have nothing and still make it.”
Criticizes Mills Administration Spending
Midgley sharply criticized the economic direction of the state under Gov. Janet Mills, pointing to what he described as limited job growth projections.
“Zero job growth in the Mills economic forecast through 2029,” he said. “That’s Janet Mills’ legacy.”
He also argued that Maine families are facing rising costs across multiple areas, including electricity, property taxes, housing, and insurance.
“We have seniors in some communities being told to take out reverse mortgages or sell their homes to pay property taxes,” Midgley said. “That is disgraceful.”
Midgley pointed to the growth of the state budget as evidence of excessive spending.
“It took 200 years to get to a $7 billion budget in this state,” he said. “And it only took seven more years to get to a $12 billion budget.”
He argued that Maine’s financial challenges stem from spending rather than revenue.
“There is no revenue issue in Augusta,” Midgley said. “It’s a spending issue.”
Promises Tax Cuts and Welfare Oversight
Midgley pledged to cut taxes immediately if elected governor and to reduce what he described as wasteful spending.
“Day one, we will cut taxes,” he said. “You know how to spend your money better than politicians.”
He also emphasized plans to review public assistance programs, alleging widespread misuse.
“We have hundreds of millions of dollars being wasted on welfare fraud,” Midgley said. “We will audit the programs, put systems in place, and prosecute the perpetrators.”
Midgley said he intends to maintain assistance for individuals who legitimately rely on safety net programs, including seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
“We will protect the safety net for our vulnerable Mainers,” he said.
Education and Public Safety Themes
Education reform was another focus of Midgley’s remarks. He criticized the state’s education system, arguing that increased spending has not produced better outcomes.
“We’re spending more than ever,” he said. “Results are only getting worse.”
He called for a shift toward core academic subjects and increased parental involvement in decision-making.
“Public schools should be teaching our kids how to think, not what to think,” Midgley said.
Midgley also addressed public safety concerns, referencing drug use and crime as major issues facing communities.
“We have drugs in our neighborhoods, violent crime in our cities, and victims being ignored,” he said.
He pledged support for law enforcement and emphasized his commitment to Second Amendment rights.
“I will defend the police and not defund the police,” Midgley said. “And I will fight to defend our Second Amendment.”
Calls Campaign a “Moment” for Maine
Midgley concluded his speech by framing the election as a turning point for the state, urging Republicans to unite behind a shared vision.
“This campaign is not about me,” he said. “It’s about every family trying to get by in a state that just makes it harder on them every single day.”
He told supporters he believes Maine can reverse its current trajectory.
“Maine’s best days are not behind us,” Midgley said. “Maine’s best days are ahead of us.”
Midgley ended his remarks with a call for victory in November and thanked supporters for their continued backing.
“Together, we can make a stronger Maine,” he said. “And we can win in November.”
