AUGUSTA, Maine — Following his fiery, no-holds-barred address at the Maine Republican Party Convention, businessman David Jones is entering the final weeks of the GOP gubernatorial primary with a direct message to voters: the race is not about elected officials or political insiders in Augusta, but about the Maine families who pay their salaries and bear the cost of their policies.
With the June 9 primary just weeks away, Jones is seeking to frame himself as the outsider candidate in the race, arguing that the same political establishment he says has failed Maine families does not want him in the Blaine House because it cannot control him.
“I’ve been traveling this state for ten months, and what I hear from real Mainers is the same thing everywhere,” Jones told convention delegates Saturday. “Government is Goliath. Everyone in this crowd is David. The insiders don’t like me because they know they can’t control me, but the people know they can trust me to fight like hell for them. This campaign is not about the politicians. It’s about the taxpayers who foot the bill for their failures.”
Jones, a lifelong builder and businessman with more than 50 years of experience creating jobs, has never held elected office. He founded a commercial construction company that grew from a small operation into a business with a payroll of 1,100 employees. He later built F.O. Bailey Real Estate into a respected force in Maine’s housing market.
“This is my first job interview, but it’s not my first fight,” Jones said, with his family standing beside him. “We don’t need another politician. We need a CEO, a warrior, a fighter. I want to eliminate property taxes on primary residences so people can stay in their homes. Our children and grandchildren deserve better. Maine deserves better. And we’re going to fight like hell to take it back.”
Backed by fellow businessman Rick Savage and grassroots supporters, Jones is campaigning as the candidate who will audit Augusta, cut bureaucracy, reduce waste, and put Maine families first.
As the June 9 primary approaches, Jones is intensifying his statewide grassroots campaign and calling on Republican and unaffiliated voters to reject political insiders and support an outsider candidate.
“Maine families are being taxed out of their homes while Augusta keeps growing bigger and more expensive,” Jones said. “I built companies the right way, by creating jobs, controlling costs, and delivering results. That’s exactly how I’ll run this state. No more excuses. No more fear. It’s time to fight like hell and win Maine back for the people who actually pay the bills.”
The primary election is June 9, 2026. Republicans and unaffiliated voters are encouraged to visit jones2026.com to learn more, volunteer, or donate to the campaign.
David Jones is running for governor as an outsider businessman and job creator who says he has never been part of the political establishment. His campaign platform includes eliminating property taxes on primary residences, cutting government spending, simplifying regulations, and delivering results for Maine families and small businesses.
Jones blew it in the recent debate when he chose to spend his “closing argument” calling Bobby Charles a liar, among other things. It was a bad look. He may be a good business man, and a decent enough guy, but he’s a hothead and a dummy.