Hannah Pingree wins ranked-choice runoff in Democratic primary for governor

Key Points:

• Hannah Pingree won the Democratic primary for governor in a close five-way ranked-choice race, overcoming an early lead by Nirav Shah and eliminating Angus King III, Shenna Bellows, and Troy Jackson in successive rounds.
• Pingree will face Republican Bobby Charles, who won his primary after a ranked-choice runoff, and independent Rick Bennett in the November general election to succeed Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.
• Pingree, endorsed by Gov. Mills and many officials, emphasized her experience as a former legislator and consensus-builder, while Shah led in first-choice votes and was known for his COVID-19 leadership as Maine CDC director.
• Bellows gained attention for her opposition to former President Trump, notably keeping him off the 2024 Republican primary ballot in Maine, and Jackson focused on advocating for working-class Mainers and criticized political gridlock under previous governors.
• Pingree called for a broad coalition of voters to defeat her opponents in November and highlighted the urgency of the upcoming general election campaign.