Tight Maine Democratic gubernatorial primary heads to ranked-choice count

Maine’s Democratic gubernatorial primary will proceed to a ranked-choice count after no candidate secured a majority in the initial vote tally. Former Senate President Troy Jackson led with 26.5% of the votes, narrowly ahead of former House Speaker Hannah Pingree at 24.4%, followed by former public health chief Nirav Shah with 21% and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows at 20.8%. Former energy executive Angus King III trailed significantly with 7.4% of the vote, according to projections by the Bangor Daily News and Decision Desk HQ. The race has tightened significantly, with Shah’s earlier poll leads eroded by strong showings from Jackson and Pingree. Shah, known for leading Maine’s pandemic response, had been a frontrunner but now faces a closely contested ranked-choice count, where second- and third-choice votes will determine the winner. A recent simulation by SurveyUSA suggested Pingree could emerge ahead of Shah if other candidates drop out. Pingree, Jackson, and Bellows formed an alliance at the urging of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner, encouraging voters to rank each other second or third to block Shah’s path to victory. Shah’s campaign, meanwhile, accused anonymous groups of sending undisclosed texts promoting the trio, prompting a complaint to the Maine Ethics Commission. Shah’s campaign has emphasized results-driven leadership, contrasting with the more moderate stances of King and himself. All candidates have released policy plans focusing on education, healthcare, childcare, taxes, housing, and environmental issues. Shah has garnered support from healthcare professionals and veterans but lacks strong backing from Augusta lawmakers, unlike his opponents, who all served in the Legislature. The primary’s outcome hinges on ranked-choice dynamics, with voters now deciding how to allocate their secondary preferences in a race that has grown increasingly contentious.