Prediction Edge
Republican
Robert Wessels

Overview

Current roleRetail manager

PartyRepublican

Political ideologyConservative Republican

GenderMale

LocationMaine

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BackgroundRetail manager

EducationMBA (school not publicly specified on campaign bio)

Notable personal detailsRobert Wessels is a Republican candidate for Governor of Maine in 2026. He is a business leader with a career in retail management, including store management at U.S. Cellular. He previously served on the Town of Paris, Maine selectboard (elected 2012) and has emphasized fiscal restraint and reducing government regulation in his campaign.

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Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports cutting taxes and controlling government spending, favors shrinking government and growing the economy without raising taxes. Advocates spending reductions and limiting government intervention in areas like energy policy and education funding.

Healthcare

Supports medical freedom and limited government role in health policy while prioritizing improving hospital competitiveness and access to local care and mental-health supports. Emphasizes cutting spending and restoring individual choice in health decisions. Opposes government mandates tied to COVID-era policies such as removal of vaccine exemptions.

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Immigration & Border

Supports stronger enforcement and opposes sanctuary policies at the state level; would not allow state funds to flow to sanctuary cities and has voiced support for ICE operations in Maine while proposing the end of programs such as the Office of New Americans.

Climate & Energy

Supports energy independence through expanded hydropower and small modular nuclear reactors, prioritizes lower energy costs for businesses, and favors deregulation over new climate regulations. Emphasizes economic and business-focused approaches to energy rather than aggressive emissions targets or Green New Deal–style policies.

Public Safety & Guns

The candidate identifies as a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights and opposes measures such as red flag laws and broad bans that target law-abiding gun owners while calling for focusing on enforcement of existing laws and community safety.

Polls

Maine Republican Governor nominee?
Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
32.6%
23%
12.8%
9%
5.9%
Robert Wessels
R. Wessels
Robert Charles
R. Charles
Shawn Moody
S. Moody
Jonathan Bush
J. Bush
G. Mason
Ben Midgley
B. Midgley
David Jones
D. Jones
Owen McCarthy
O. McCarthy
James Libby
J. Libby
Date (Start - End)SpreadWesselsCharlesMoodyBushMasonMidgleyJonesMcCarthyLibby
Polling Average
Charles+29.4
3.2%32.6%23.0%12.8%9.0%5.9%4.2%3.2%1.0%
SurveyUSAMay 28 - Jun 3
Charles+32.0
2.0%34.0%17.0%10.0%10.0%2.0%7.0%0.0%
University of New Hampshire Survey CenterMay 21 - 25
Charles+31.0
6.0%37.0%18.0%9.0%11.0%7.0%2.0%
Pan Atlantic ResearchMay 8 - 18
Charles+35.0
1.0%36.0%20.0%13.0%2.0%3.0%4.0%
University of New Hampshire Survey CenterFeb 12 - 16
Charles+24.0
4.0%28.0%5.0%12.0%6.0%7.0%1.0%2.0%
McLaughlin & AssociatesAug 23 - 25
Charles+25.0
3.0%28.0%23.0%4.0%1.0%0.3%2.0%2.0%1.0%

Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne

New updates coming soon

We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.

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