Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
9.0%
38.6%
23%
17.2%
10.4%
Maine Republican Governor nominee?
$160.4K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusiness executive
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationMaine
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BackgroundBusiness executive
EducationHigh school
Notable personal detailsBenjamin T. Midgley is a Republican candidate for Governor of Maine in the 2026 election cycle. He is a business executive and fitness-industry entrepreneur who has led and helped build national gym brands, including serving as president of Planet Fitness and later as a founding partner/CEO of Crunch Franchising. He is based in Kennebunkport and has not previously held elected office.
SourcesShowHide
benforgovernor.compressherald.commainepublic.orgbangordailynews.comamericanspa.comapnews.comwagmtv.comthemainewire.comen.wikipedia.orgoctagonai.comainemorningstar.comrobinhood.comwabi.tvwmtw.comdata.ddhq.iostrongermaine.orgbenforhallowell.comben-for-governor.medium.comtoppodcast.commainerighttolife.orgscience.goven.wiktionary.orgpodcasts.apple.comstudylib.netfacebook.cominstagram.commainebeacon.comfairvote.orgthemainemonitor.orgspectrumlocalnews.comdenvergazette.comballotready.orgnga.orghistory.house.govpingree.house.govgovinfo.govfec.govsenate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting wasteful state spending, reducing government growth and regulation, lowering costs for families and delivering tax relief to working families and seniors. Prioritizes supporting small businesses and attracting investment to create jobs while opposing subsidies that benefit special interests.
Healthcare
The candidate emphasizes reducing state spending, redirecting resources toward law enforcement and addiction treatment, and increasing oversight of Department of Health and Human Services personnel; healthcare proposals focus on cost control and targeted programs rather than expanding government-run coverage. Campaign materials and interviews emphasize fiscal restraint and reallocating existing funds to priority areas such as veterans’ care and addiction treatment. Public statements call for personnel accountability at DHHS and stress limiting spending growth in MaineCare/Maine’s health budget
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger enforcement of immigration laws, opposes sanctuary cities, favors reducing public benefits for undocumented immigrants, and endorses deporting individuals who break the law (including violent criminals).
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports restrictions on abortion, opposing late-term abortion and opposing requiring MaineCare to cover abortion costs, while acknowledging Maine is unlikely to be a fully pro-life state and saying some "guardrails" could be put in place.
Climate & Energy
Ben Midgley’s campaign emphasizes lowering electricity costs and supporting policies to reduce cost of living, but does not present detailed climate or energy policy proposals on the campaign site. Public statements focus on economic impacts of energy prices rather than explicit commitments on emissions targets, renewable development, or fossil-fuel policy. Available materials frame energy as a cost issue within a broader pro-business, ‘common-sense’ platform rather than a specific climate agenda.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate describes himself as a proud defender of the Second Amendment, pledges to protect gun owners’ rights, oppose efforts that would restrict law-abiding Mainers, and says he would veto legislation that targets those rights. He frames his public-safety priorities around supporting law enforcement and protecting residents’ ability to defend themselves.
Polls
Maine Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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