Robert
B. Charles

The Bangor Daily News reported that Vice President JD Vance campaigned with Charles in Brewer, Maine, sometime in September. The article did not specify an exact date.

Poll compilations reported as of October 10–11 showed Pingree ahead of Charles by an average of 11.2 points across eight recent polls (Crosstab) and by 9 points based on one poll in a 14-day window (Midterm Results Live). The two averages use different methodologies and poll sets and should not be treated as interchangeable.

The Bangor Daily News reported that Charles had not published a detailed healthcare plan but that his 20-point transparency plan called for firing all DHHS leaders, some mid-level managers he deems 'ideological,' and others involved in what he describes as 'corrupt contracting,' as well as cutting the department's budget in half. These are Charles's stated proposals and characterizations.

Maine Public reported that at the second debate Pingree accused Charles of wanting to open an 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facility in Maine and of inviting ICE to polling places. These were Pingree's accusations, not findings by the outlet. Coverage also noted Charles's earlier support for Trump's mass-deportation campaign and his more recent emphasis on policy disagreements with Trump.

The one-hour second debate covered health-care costs, the budget, housing, electricity, and immigration enforcement. Charles emphasized disagreements with Trump on Canada tariffs and power-plant emissions, defended consistency in his positions, and said state, local, and federal law enforcement should always coordinate. He blamed a Maine law restricting local ICE cooperation for ICE's conduct in the state.

WABI reported that Maine Democrats held a press conference to criticize Charles's views on the war in Iran. The report describes the party's criticism but does not itself establish the underlying claims.

A Washington Post/George Mason poll dated October 5 showed Pingree leading Charles 49% to 36% in the Maine governor's race.

News Center Maine reported that Charles proposed cutting the income tax by $1 billion in one year as part of a four-year plan, claimed his energy plan would cut costs by 37%, proposed reducing housing codes, and touted a $207 million plan to use the state's Rainy Day Fund to offset energy costs for schools, motorists, and low-income residents. These are campaign proposals, not independently verified estimates.

The Portland Press Herald reported that campaign-finance records showed more than $13,000 in contributions from current or former lobbyists and family members, calling into question his pledge to reject 'Augusta lobbyist money.' His campaign said those donations were not from 'Augusta lobbyists.' Charles had raised more than $1.8 million total, compared with Pingree's more than $4.2 million.

The Maine Democratic Party filed a complaint with the state ethics commission alleging that Charles reported 46 contributions totaling more than $25,000 over the legal limit, including donations exceeding the then-applicable $2,075 maximum. The article reports the complaint's allegations and does not establish that the commission found a violation.

Charles faced Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett in the first televised debate. Pingree criticized Charles's federal lobbying background and support for Trump; Bennett cited audit reporting from Charles's State Department tenure. Charles disputed those claims as cherry-picked and inaccurate.

Chris Christie endorsed Charles for governor of Maine, as reported in a Portland Press Herald article dated October 1. The same article noted Newt Gingrich and the NRA had also endorsed him, though dates for those endorsements were not specified.