Rick
Bennett
Independent Maine state senator and business executive running for Governor of Maine in 2026
- sources
- 19
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 15
Background
Rick Bennett is an independent candidate for Governor of Maine in the November 3, 2026 general election. He currently serves as a Maine state senator (2020–present) and is president and CEO of ValueEdge Advisors, a corporate governance advisory firm he founded in 2014. 35
Bennett has an extensive background in Maine politics, having previously served in the Maine House of Representatives (1990–1994) and the Maine Senate (1996–2004), including a term as Senate President in 2001–2002. He holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Southern Maine, and is from Oxford, Maine. 2)3
Before returning to elected office, Bennett worked in investment and corporate governance roles, including as director of corporate governance at LENS Investment Management. He founded ValueEdge Advisors in 2014, focusing on corporate governance advisory work. 513
Bennett is running as an independent, positioning himself outside the two major parties. He faces Democratic and Republican opponents in the 2026 gubernatorial race, and has participated in multiple candidate debates. 3414
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- Governor, Maine
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Maine State Senator
- Website
- bennettforgovernor.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11pollWashington Post/George Mason poll shows Bennett at 11%, his highest recorded share
A poll conducted September 30–October 5 and reported in the NYT polling tracker placed Bennett at 11%, with Pingree at 49% and Charles at 36%.
Latest Governor Polls: Election 2026 - The New York Times · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsBennett outlines health-care proposals including medical-debt relief and a $2M universal care investment
Bennett's stated health-care proposals include increasing MaineCare reimbursements, investing in primary and preventive care, and pursuing medical-debt relief and universal health care, with a relief program starting at a $2 million investment partnered with a nonprofit.
How Maine's next governor may change health care policy · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8debateBennett participates in second televised Maine gubernatorial debate
Candidates discussed health-care costs, the state budget, housing, electricity costs, and immigration enforcement. Bennett criticized the state budgeting process as insufficiently transparent and said ICE's conduct left policymakers no choice but to restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Gubernatorial Candidate Debate | Season 2026 | Episode 6 · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7pollMarist poll shows Bennett at 6%, with Pingree at 52% and Charles at 40%
A Marist poll released October 7 placed Bennett at 6%, down from 8% in the September NYT/Siena poll, with Pingree leading at 52% and Charles at 40%.
New poll shows Jackson with lead in Senate race, Pingree with advantage in governor's race · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsBennett proposes using state cash reserves to help first-time homebuyers and opioid funds for needle cleanup
Following the first debate, reports highlighted Bennett's proposal to use state cash reserves as collateral to reduce first-time homebuyers' down payments, and his plan to ask the AG's office to use opioid-settlement money to clean up discarded needles.
Maine's candidates for governor talk pocketbook issues and spar over one another's records · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1debateBennett participates in first televised Maine gubernatorial debate
Bennett, Pingree, and Charles debated taxes, state revenue, housing, substance use, energy costs, and health care. Bennett criticized Charles's understanding of state budgeting and his State Department record, and called for reducing fossil-fuel dependence and collaborating with other New England states on renewables.
Maine gubernatorial hopefuls trade barbs in first televised debate · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25pollNYT/PPH/Siena poll shows Bennett at 8%, far behind Pingree (48%) and Charles (36%)
A poll of 309 likely voters conducted September 15–17 showed Bennett at 8%, matching his June result. Pingree led at 48% and Charles stood at 36%. Margin of error was ±2.9 percentage points.
Hannah Pingree continues to hold a big lead in new poll of Maine governor’s race · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingBennett reports ~$146,000 raised and ~$91,000 cash on hand in latest filing period
For the July 15–September 15 filing period, Bennett reported about $146,000 in contributions and approximately $91,000 cash on hand, well behind Pingree ($1.2M raised) and Charles ($509K raised).
Hannah Pingree leads fundraising in Maine's race for ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22newsMaine Public publishes candidate profile of Rick Bennett, independent for governor
Maine Public identified Bennett as an independent candidate on the governor's ballot alongside Pingree and Charles. The profile also noted endorsements from Democratic state Rep. Lydia Crafts and Augusta City Councilor Courtney Gary-Allen, among others.
Your Vote 2026 profile: Rick Bennett, independent for governor · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21endorsementFormer U.S. Senator and Defense Secretary Bill Cohen endorses Rick Bennett for governor
Bill Cohen endorsed Bennett, saying 'Electing an independent as Maine's governor is not an exotic concept' and calling the current race such a moment. Bennett described Cohen as a 'model of public service.'
Bill Cohen endorses Rick Bennett for Maine governor · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Tom Saviello officialFormer state legislator. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Mark Walker officialFormer mayor. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Mary Small officialFormer Maine Senate Republican floor leader. Quoted on campaign page: "I've known and worked with Rick for decades, and I trust his integrity, experience, and vision to lead Maine forward." No endorsement date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Chandler Woodcock officialFormer state legislator. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Lydia Crafts officialDemocratic state representative from Newcastle. Said she endorsed Bennett earlier in 2026; no specific date reported. spectrumlocalnews.com
- Jonathan LaBonte officialFormer mayor. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Patrick Paradis officialFormer mayor. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Kevin Shorey officialFormer Maine Republican Party chair. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Bill Bridgeo officialListed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Courtney Gary-Allen otherAugusta city councilor and Maine Recovery Access Project executive director. Identified as an endorser in Bangor Daily News October 9 report. No endorsement date given. bangordailynews.com
- Ted O'Meara officialFormer Maine Republican Party chair. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Karen Stram officialFormer Maine Republican Party chair. Listed as endorser on campaign page. No date given. bennettforgovernor.com
- Joe Bruno otherIndividual opinion writer (not an editorial board) writing in the Portland Press Herald. Said: "This is exactly why I am supporting Rick Bennett for governor." pressherald.com · Sep 28, 2026
- Bill Cohen officialFormer U.S. senator and U.S. secretary of defense. Said: "I am proud to support Rick Bennett for Governor of Maine." wabi.tv · Sep 21, 2026
- Brett M. Staples Brain Disorder Awareness Coalition organizationEndorsed Bennett for governor in February 2026; supported full implementation of a mental-health program. Exact date within February not specified. spectrumlocalnews.com · Feb 1, 2026
Sources 19
- [1] How candidates for governor would change Maine healthcare policy(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] How Maine's next governor may change health care policy(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Maine's 2nd gubernatorial debate is over. Here's some takeaways(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Endorsements | Connect and Support Maine Leadership(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [5] Gubernatorial Candidate Debate | Season 2026 | Episode 6(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [6] New poll shows Jackson with lead in Senate race, Pingree with advantage in governor's race(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [7] Maine gubernatorial hopefuls trade barbs in first televised debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] Maine's candidates for governor talk pocketbook issues and spar over one another's records(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [9] Newcastle Democrat says Mills retaliated against her - Spectrum News(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [10] Maine needs Rick Bennett, a leader who can get things done(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [11] Hannah Pingree continues to hold a big lead in new poll of Maine governor’s race(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [12] Hannah Pingree leads fundraising in Maine's race for ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [13] Your Vote 2026 profile: Rick Bennett, independent for governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [14] Bill Cohen endorses Rick Bennett for Maine governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [15] The Issues Education — Rick Bennett for Governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [16] Latest Governor Polls: Election 2026 - The New York Times(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
- [17] Rick Bennett pursues an independent path to the Maine governor's mansion(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2026
- [18] Bennett unveils tax plan in Maine governor's race(opens in a new tab) Jul 14, 2026
- [19] Maine needs full mental health program, advocates say(opens in a new tab) Feb 6, 2026