Side-by-side voter guide for Nov. 3 midterm elections

Learn priorities of each local candidate, what seat they’re running for, and who they’re running against

A row of political signs in Blue Hill. Photo by Maizy Weirich.

Oct. 7, 2026

By Lydia Hart

In less than a month, voters across Maine will head to the polls for the 2026 midterm elections. This year, Maine voters will cast ballots to choose winners in multiple competitive races at both the state and federal levels. 

United States Senate: 

Susan Collins

Collins is the sitting incumbent of this Senate seat and is running for her sixth term. Collins' campaign is built on her track record of delivering Senate policies aimed at improving Maine's healthcare and economic well-being and strengthening national security. Collins is also running on her senior status as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

Troy Jackson

Troy Jackson is running for the United States Senate against incumbent Susan Collins. Jackson was formerly the Democratic Majority Leader and the president of the state senate. Troy's campaign promises Mainers Medicare for all, lower prescription drug costs, and tax cuts for the working class. 

Governor's Race:

Hannah Pingree

Hannah Pingree is the Democratic nominee in the election for Governor of Maine. Pingree served as Maine Speaker of the House before serving as Director of Policy Innovation and the Future under Gov. Janet Mills. Pingree's campaign platform focuses on affordable housing initiatives, affordable healthcare, and wages that keep up with the current cost of living. 

Bobby Charles 

Bobby Charles is the Republican nominee for Governor of Maine. Charles is an attorney who served in the Office of Domestic Policy in the Reagan Administration and as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs under President George W. Bush. Charles promises to cut taxes, reduce crime, and refocus schools on core subjects such as reading, writing, English and math.

Rick Bennett

Rick Bennett is an independent candidate for Governor of Maine. Bennett says he is prioritizing cutting costs, lowering Mainers’ bills, and growing economic opportunity. He says he wants to focus on quality education and connect students to careers in Maine, and  is committed to a "transparent, modern and measurable government.” Bennett also promises to create “a front door to business support,” so that employers get answers quickly from the state government. 

United States House of Representatives- 2nd Congressional District

Matt Dunlap 

Matt Dunlap is the Democratic nominee for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Dunlap previously served as Maine’s Secretary of State and Maine State Auditor. Dunlap’s campaign prioritizes managing the cost of living, protecting and expanding Medicare, and expanding workers' rights. 

Paul LePage

Paul LePage is the Republican nominee for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. LePage is the former mayor of Waterville and two-term governor of Maine. LePage's campaign prioritizes mitigating inflation, securing the US southern border, and creating more jobs for the people of Maine. 

Maine State House of Representatives 

District 15 

Holly Eaton

Holly Eaton is the incumbent candidate in this election. Prior to being elected to the Maine State House of Representatives in 2022, Eaton owned a local small business and worked as a sternman. Eaton prioritizes protecting Maine’s working waterfronts and fisheries, creating more housing opportunities, and strengthening her district’s infrastructure and transportation. 

Clifford Noyes

Clifford Noyes is an unenrolled candidate running for State House District 15. Noyes currently serves on the Southwest Harbor school board. Noyes states he is running to listen to the people and pursue aggressive tax reductions. 

District 16 

Nina Milliken 

Nina Milliken is the incumbent representative for Maine House District 16. Milliken is on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Milliken prioritizes ensuring affordable healthcare for Mainers, expanding affordable housing and confronting the opioid crisis. 

Eric White

Eric White is the Republican candidate running for Maine House District 16. White has not released public information about his platform. 

District 17 

Ronald B. Russell

Ronald B. Russell is the Democratic candidate running for Maine House District 17. Russel previously worked as a senior management executive at Darlings Automotive. Russell prioritizes managing the cost of living, healthcare, and the environment. 

Steve Bishop

Steve Bishop is the Republican candidate running for Maine House District 17. Bishop has previously worked for the Bucksport Fire Department and the Bucksport Police Department. Bishop prioritizes “solutions, sanity, and common sense,” according to his website. 

Maine State Senate- District 7

Nicole Grohoski

Nicole Grohoski is the incumbent for State Senate District 7. Before becoming a state legislator, Grohoski worked as a home energy efficiency auditor. Grohoski prioritizes creating affordable healthcare for Mainers, investing in education for children of all ages, and reducing property taxes and rental costs. 

Cheryl Hewes

Cheryl Hewes is the Republican nominee for State Senate District 7. Hewes works in Surgical Services at Northern Light Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. Hewes prioritizes lowering electricity costs, reducing government waste to lower the state’s budget, and reducing taxes. 

Hancock County Sheriff's Race 

Corey Bagley

Corey Bagley, running as a Republican, has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Before becoming a detective with the Ellsworth Police Department, Bagley served as a Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent. Bagley prioritizes expanding mental health training for officers working in the field, updating the technology and equipment used by the Hancock County Sheriff's Department, and strengthening community trust by creating outreach programs. 

Dakota Dupuis

Dakota Dupuis, running as a Democrat, has 11 years of law enforcement experience and currently serves as a lieutenant in the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. Dupuis also served as a special agent for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Dupuis prioritizes increasing mental health services for patrol and corrections, supporting community outreach, and ensuring “open communication with the public about policies, budgets, and use of resources.”

For more information on the sheriff’s race, be sure to read The Rising Tide’s recent in-depth profiles of the candidates.