Politics
Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree has a significant lead over Republican challenger Bobby Charles, according to a new poll commissioned by the Portland Press Herald and The New York Times.
The poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute found that Pingree leads Charles 50% to 36%. The same survey, taken last week, found independent candidate Rick Bennett drawing 8% support.
The poll is the first public survey taken since Pingree and Charles secured their parties’ nomination after a ranked-choice runoff. Charles led after the initial count on June 9, while Pingree rallied after initially finishing second on the day of the primary election.
The survey shows Pingree pulling near universal support from registered Democrats. Charles isn’t far behind, but 6% of Republican respondents favor Bennett, a lifelong Republican who unenrolled from the party last year to run for governor.
Pingree also has a 16-point edge over Charles in the battle for independent voters.
The winner of the November election will replace Democratic Gov. Janet Mills early next year.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.