Gov. Hannah Pingree is all but guaranteed | Steve Collins

After squeaking through a five-way primary campaign, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree isn’t likely to face anything like another nail-biter in November. It’s clear she’s going to crush Republican Bobby Charles at the polls. By casting himself as the most combative and racist candidate in the running, Charles muscled aside a weak field of Republican contenders. That it worked is one more mark of shame for Maine’s once-Grand Old Party. But Charles, a Leeds lawyer, will not be supported in the general election by any voter who isn’t on board with the white nationalist agenda pushed by President Donald Trump and his — shrinking — group of super fans. If the Democrats had backed a more left-leaning candidate than Pingree, the other Blaine House contender, Republican-turned-unaffiliated state Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford, may have had a serious shot at winning. Pingree, a former state House speaker who worked for Gov. Janet Mills, is solidly in the political mainstream. Now she can turn that to her advantage. Advertisement Charles’ stream of ridiculous AI-generated cartoons aren’t going to succeed in painting Pingree as an extremist.  Consider Pingree’s first statement after learning that she won the ranked-choice race for her party’s nomination. “This campaign is about housing that allows young people to stay in Maine, quality healthcare we can afford, no matter where you live. It is about Maine’s potential — ensuring a bright future for our kids, and for those struggling to get by,” she said. Aimed straight at the center, Pingree’s comments hit home with most Mainers who want more affordable housing, more opportunities for young people and better healthcare. Those aren’t exactly controversial issues, though what to do about them remains unclear. The other side of Pingree’s platform is straightforward: “This campaign is about standing up against Donald Trump’s reckless attacks, his wars and economic choices that are making life harder for Mainers.” No doubt the MAGA diehards are going to vote for Charles. They’re a lost cause for any Democrat. Advertisement Fortunately for Pingree, there aren’t that many of them in a state that has three times refused to back Trump in presidential races — and that was before the stunningly awful job he’s done since returning to the White House last year. It also helps Pingree that her party is unified. Democrats didn’t always play nice during the primary, but it never got ugly. And I don’t think anyone emerged from the fray feeling angry at Pingree. Many Maine Republicans, on the other hand, remain steamed by  Charles’ decision to blow off debates and treat his opponents as sure losers. In short, the governor’s race, already overshadowed by a hot-and-heavy U.S. Senate contest, is likely to remain a sideshow all the way through the general election. It’s hard to see a path for anyone to beat Pingree. Or even make it a close call. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [columns](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/columns/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/steve-collins) [Steve CollinsColumnist](https://www.pressherald.com/author/steve-collins) Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served. [More by Steve Collins](https://www.pressherald.com/author/steve-collins)