By Carroll Conley
About six years ago, while leading the Christian Civic League, I was approached multiple times by trusted friends who urged me to meet a man named Bobby Charles. These were not casual observers of politics—they were experienced, discerning individuals convinced that Bobby should run for governor.
At the time, I had never heard of him.
Out of respect for their judgment, I agreed to meet. We had lunch in Waterville, and I went in with no expectations—certainly no positive ones. In fact, Bobby himself wasn’t even convinced that running for office was a realistic or worthwhile pursuit.
But by the end of that meeting, I was struck—not by a single position or personality trait, but by the rare convergence of tested character, consequential life experience, and disciplined intellect—a combination I’d rarely seen in Maine politics.
Having spent nearly a decade working in Augusta, I’ve encountered my share of candidates and elected officials. It takes a great deal to impress me. Yet I walked away from that first conversation more encouraged about a potential leader than I had been in years.
A couple of weeks later, I met with him again to test whether my initial impression would hold. It did. By the end of that second meeting, I was convinced that Bobby Charles was exactly the kind of leader Maine needs to begin pulling out of the political and cultural quagmire we find ourselves in today.
I told him then: You should run—and if you do, I’ll help however I can.
I was grateful when he eventually chose to enter the race.
There are other honorable and capable candidates in the Republican primary. But my support for Bobby is rooted in what sets him apart: unmatched life experience, exceptional intellect, and a rare ability to take on complex problems and actually solve them. Just as important, he has a genuine love for Maine and a courage—grounded in faith—that equips him to confront the hard issues many others would rather avoid.
What I find especially compelling is that Bobby is an aspirational leader. He refuses to accept the limits that so often define political thinking in our state. Whether it’s our budget challenges, the devastation of substance abuse, or the rise in crime, too many voices insist, “It can’t be done,” or “That’s not realistic.”
We’ve heard that before.
Those same criticisms were once directed at Paul LePage. Unfortunately, some of the loudest skepticism came not only from opponents, but from supposed allies—voices that ultimately became self-fulfilling.
Maine cannot afford that kind of small thinking any longer.
No one is pretending that winning this fall will be easy. But I believe Bobby Charles is exactly the kind of leader Mainers are looking for—a crime fighter, a fraud buster, and a problem solver for a state that has grown weary over the past eight years.
Maine is at an inflection point. The challenges we face demand leadership grounded in character, shaped by real experience, and guided by clear, disciplined thinking.
Leadership, after all, reveals what a person truly believes—about truth, responsibility, and the people they serve. Having spent time with Bobby Charles, I am convinced his convictions are not campaign rhetoric, but the compass by which he lives and leads. I’m proud to support him, and I invite Mainers who want more for our state to join me in doing the same.
Amen to this!!
The people of Maine have the opportunity to turn the tide for the State by electing Bobby Charles. I pray for a better future for the State but my gut tells me that the “people” will keep voting for the same party that is in power.
Why is “crime” considered a big factor in the governor’s race? Maine is tied with Vermont for the lowest crime rate in the country and the lowest violent crime. We need to continue to be vigilant to maintain our low crime rate, and maybe it can be improved a bit, but there are other unsolved problems, like housing shortages, that need more attention.
Providing examples of what he has done goes a long way. Anyone can say anything about someone’s abilities, without backing it up with examples is just silly.
Bobby Charles reminds me of Joshua Chamberlain, and Joshua Chamberlain not only made a good governor, but years after that went back up to Augusta and prevented a second Civil War from starting.
the maine government has become something far worse than the government.
Maine conservatives have been blessed with many good choices for Governor this year, making it hard to discern. Carroll Conley’s political acumen and integrity are beyond question. While I’ve not cast my vote yet, I’m leaning hard Bobby Charles. Thank you Carroll for your valued opinion.
In an effort to know more about Mr Charles, I emailed his bio to a group of retired congressional staffers who were working on the Hill at the time Charles was working his DC career. My Washington contacts didn’t know him but based on his resume (ex The Charles Group) they said he’s Deep State. It crossed my mind to wonder if the Deep State runs its own preferred candidates?
The problem with a candidate whose adult activities are unclear and a bit mysterious to a grassroots voter is that we don’t know all we should. Will Mr Charles still be lobbying for, say surveillance products developed by his client Voyager Technologies “to fight crime” were he to become Maine Chief Executive? We don’t know because he keeps mum and talks in generalities. AI is more informative than Charles himself:
“ The Charles Group, LLC (a Washington, D.C.-based consulting and lobbying firm) represents Voyager Technologies, Inc. (a defense, national security, and space technology company).”
This is confirmed through federal lobbying disclosure records:
The Charles Group specializes in areas like emerging technologies, intelligence, and federal business development, which aligns with Voyager’s focus on space, defense, and mission-critical solutions (e.g., NASA contracts, Starlab space station efforts).
Lobbying relationships can change over time based on new filings, so the most current status would be verifiable via the U.S. House Lobbying Disclosure database or sites like OpenSecrets/LegiStorm for the latest quarter. As of available 2025 records, the representation holds.
Let’s hope that between now and the June Primary, Mr Charles will get serious with the voters and clear up the uncertainty of how/if there is a connection of his Deep State past and his desire to be Maine’s next Gpvernor.
There is one candidate in each party that is vastly outspending all the others. I suppose there are legitimate explanations for each doing so, but in a small state like ours, something just doesn’t “seem” right.
“The folks” like to be on the winning team. Often vote for inflated sense of power, or perhaps better put the “illusion” of power. I have often say and heard others as well, refer to the Mohawks with the Iroquois Confederacy. They had a well beaten path to Boston. They sided with the Brits as Mohawks (keepers of the eastern gate) were a strong and still are, a tribe that believes in strength.
The Mohawks realized a little too late that the Brits had used them as they marched toward Ticonderoga.
Perhaps this is why the public school system doesn’t teach history. AND “the folks” seemly make the same mistake as others in the past.
Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. (loosely paraphrased by my going off of memory)…. JFK
I pray to The Almighty, that He will help us here in Maine, to rid this State of the scurdge that has been allowed to ruin “The Way Life Should Be”.
Be well during these Holy Days (Holidays).
and
May The Almighty show His hand of Mercy, Power and Grace.
Many good men are running for one job. I’ve thought for a while nearly every man running would make a great department head in their field.
In a few months we will chose a candidate and with so many running there will be disappoinent. And whoever wins the primary republicans have to lick their wounds and get behind the primary winner.
We cannot allow the same fraudulent government continue to take our hard earned taxes and waste them on fraud and rediculous social isuees.
I like almost every candidate but we gotta select one who can win and we need to get people to run for unfilled and unopposed legislature seats.
If we dont: Maine has had it.
Selecting Bobby Charles as our Gubernatorial candidate would be a godsend to the Democrats. Democrats have nothing to show as accomplishments so their campaign will surely focus on painting Bobby Charles as a DC insider and thus a MAGA Trump supporter. Despite his slick campaign ads showing him chopping firewood and his iconic fireside Facebook chats, Bobby is a Washington insider. What is worse is that he served in DC during the George W. Bush administration that increased national spending by 53%.
Now, he has traded his DC business suit for an LL Bean inspired wardrobe, but can we truly convince people that he is the folksy Mainer who can solve our budget problems?
Bobby Charles is a little too slick for my taste BUT as of now he has my vote.
I don’t trust this guy. Sorry. I like people who have been in the trenches and have been walking behind the plow horse rather than prancing in on a white stallion from D.C.
It seems that most of the crime in Maine originates in Augusta, so it makes sense to send a governor who at least recognizes that fact.
Bobby Charles has my vote.
After watching the debate, sponsored and moderated by Mainewire, I’m convinced that seven of the eight are good guys. One guy, Jones, made a fool of himself, violating Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment—do not attack another Republican.
As to Bobby Charles being involved with companies that develop advanced technologies for NASA and such, would that really be a bad thing?
Do you have any idea how many empty factory buildings we have between Sanford and Hartland and Millinocket and Limestone with the old Loring AFB? Would it really be a bad thing if Ben got a few thousand jobs involving manufacturing high-tech things for spacecraft or other government contracts did I mention that these are usually high paying jobs?