Jonathan Bush, the nephew of former President George H.W. Bush and cousin of former President George W. Bush, said Monday he is forming an exploratory committee to consider running for Maine governor in 2026.
The 56-year-old health tech entrepreneur and Cape Elizabeth resident has been open about his potential ambitions ever since the Bangor Daily News first mentioned last year his moves to wade deeper into Maine politics. But Monday’s announcement from Bush is a firm sign he is getting close to entering next year’s gubernatorial field that already includes an array of names seeking to succeed Gov. Janet Mills when the Democrat leaves office due to term limits.
It would put one of America’s most storied political families, with ties to Maine through its compound in Kennebunkport, back in the picture for a prominent office after two Bushes in Texas lost primaries in 2022 and after former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush ran in the 2016 Republican presidential primary won by President Donald Trump. The late George H.W. Bush was the last Republican to carry Maine in a presidential election, winning the state in 1988.
Bush, who grew up in Manhattan and cofounded health care tech firm Athenahealth before launching Boston-based Zus Health, said Monday he would run as a Republican if he joins the Maine gubernatorial field. He said in a statement he has “made a career out of disrupting the status quo and delivering real results, including the creation of hundreds of good-paying jobs right here in Maine, and I know how important it is to have real leaders to drive real change.”
“Maine is the greatest state in the nation. But one thing is clear: we’re being let down by Janet Mills and the Augusta politicians,” Bush said. “Working class Mainers are paying far too much for far too little, and our state needs a dramatic change in direction to ensure everyone is able to realize the American Dream right here in Maine.”
Bush, who is married and has seven children, has criticized Trump and launched a “Maine for Keeps” group in April that has been producing a policy roadmap and podcast while critiquing regulations that Bush believes are holding back the state’s economy.
The 2026 gubernatorial field on the Republican side includes state Sen. Jim Libby, lawyer Bobby Charles, entrepreneur Owen McCarthy and real estate leader David Jones. The Democratic side has various well-known names, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and former clean energy executive Angus King III. State Sen. Rick Bennett left the Republican Party to run as an independent.
Apart from Bush, the GOP field could see additional entrants such as fitness executive Ben Midgley and former Maine Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason. Numerous candidates had previously announced “exploratory” efforts before officially jumping in, and Bush’s move allows him to raise an unlimited amount of money he would not have to disclose until he would formally join the field.
Bush reportedly confessed in 2018 to past incidents of hitting his ex-wife, and both said they later repaired their co-parenting relationship after divorcing. Bush bought his oceanfront Cape Elizabeth home from former gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler for $7.55 million in 2021, about a year before Cutler was arrested and eventually sentenced on child pornography charges.
Bush has given more than $500,000 to political candidates and causes across the country since 2010, such as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley when she challenged Trump in 2024 as well as U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and former Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin.
“I look forward to continuing my conversations with the people of Maine over the coming months to get their input and advice as I explore the possibility of a run for governor,” Bush said Monday.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the number of children Bush has. He has seven children.