A look at how Maine’s gubernatorial candidates’ fundraising stacks up

Maine’s top fundraisers in the 2026 race for governor have each amassed more than a million dollars — but in vastly different ways.

That’s according to a Maine Morning Star analysis of the latest campaign finance reports published on the Maine Ethics Commission website, detailing fundraising from the second half of 2025.

Former Maine House of Representatives Speaker Pingree has consistently led the race in fundraising since she launched her campaign in June, amassing more than $1.4 million, according to the January 15 report. Her campaign said donations came in from all 16 counties and nearly 300 Maine towns, “reflecting the campaign’s statewide reach and growing support as Hannah continues to meet with workers, families, small business owners, and community leaders across Maine.”

According to Maine Ethics Commission data, Pingree’s campaign reported contributions from more than 1,800 unique donors, including several state representatives and officials, including Attorney General Aaron Frey. That aligns with the endorsements she’s received from more than 100 former and current state leaders. She raised more than $58,000 in small contributions of $50 or less. Pingree also received two donations for the maximum amount from her mother, U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, as well as contributions from Gov. Janet Mills’ siblings, Dora Mills and Peter Mills.  

Bush, a health care entrepreneur, entered the campaign months after Pingree and Bellows in October, but has assembled the second largest war chest.A significant part of that is the $300,000 loan he gave himself, but Bush’s fundraising stands out for the large number of out-of-state contributions. He also received a high number of contributions for the legal maximum, including a donation from his cousin, former President George W. Bush. Overall, Bush raised close to a million from fewer than 700 unique contributors.

Bush is currently leading the Republican gubernatorial candidates in fundraising, with attorney and Leeds resident Bobby Charles in second place with more than $500,000 raised. Bush’s campaign manager Eamonn Dundon highlighted his fundraising as proof that he can beat Democrats in the general election.

“The rest of the candidates in the Republican field are nice guys with some good ideas, but they’ve shown now that they can’t compete with Democrats’ massive money machine that will be trained at whoever our nominee is in June,” Dundon said in a press release. 

With just over a million dollars in the bank, Bellows’ — who was first to announce her run last March — leads in the most small dollar contributions: more than $146,000 in amounts of $50 or less.

“The Maine Ethics Commission’s end of year reports show what Mainers have already known: Shenna Bellows is the leading candidate for Maine Governor,” her campaign said in a press release.

Democrats Angus King III, a businessman, and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson follow, with $900,000 and $600,000 raised, respectively. And although former head of Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Nirav Shah only entered the race in October, he has already raised more than $500,000, as has independent Sen. Rick Bennett. Republicans David Jones and Owen McCarthy have raised $400,000 and $300,000 each, although both gave their own campaigns big loans. 

The newest Republican candidate, former Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason, announced his candidacy earlier this month, and has not had to file a campaign finance report yet.