Rick Bennett
Candidate · Governor · Maine
Independent · Challenger2%
To win · Kalshi, Oct 27, 2026
▲ 1 pts since July
Running for
OfficeGovernor
SeatMaine, statewide
AgainstHannah Pingree (D)
ElectionNov 3, 2026 · 7 days
StandingChallenger
BallotDirectory listing
Links
Websitebennettforgovernor.com ↗
X@rabmaine ↗ Personal
Running statewide
Maine · Governor
Roster checked Sep 29, 2026. Listed as: State Sen., Ex-Senate President, Ex-State Rep. & Ex-Republican.
The campaign · in their wordsbennettforgovernor.com · read Oct 19, 2026 ↗
“INDEPENDENT FOR A BETTER MAINE”
Plank 1 · campaign site
#1. Reduce down payments for first-time homebuyers
“As Governor, I will create a state-backed down payment guarantee so that qualified first-time buyers can purchase a home with far less cash up front so more young people and more families can put down roots in the towns they love.”
Plank 2 · campaign site
#2. Provide direct mortgage support to make monthly payments affordable
“As Governor, I will launch a Direct Mortgage Support program that helps families cover part of their monthly mortgage payment in exchange for a fair, capped share of future appreciation when they sell the home”
Plank 3 · campaign site
#2. Keep great teachers in Maine classrooms
“As Governor, I will help recruit and keep great teachers by supporting paid student teaching, mentoring new educators, and building real pathways for talented people to teach and stay in Maine.”
Page titles and first lines from the campaign's own site, unedited. 152 pages read.
Where They Stand
Statement estimateNo votes yet, so this is read from the campaign’s own words, on the same scale as a member’s record.
Overall
from 5 statements
Left
Issue · by emphasisLeftCenterRightReadTalks about
Odds over time · Kalshi daily closes
Pingree (D) — 96%Charles (R) — 6%Bennett (I) — 2%
The race · Maine Governor · 7 days out
Hannah PingreeDemocrat · challenger · Left 34 from statements96%Rick BennettIndependent · challenger · Left 23 from statements2%3423
11 points apart · hollow = estimate, solid = record
In their own words
“I will support permanent wage supplements, strengthen career pathways and scholarships”
“I will fully fund the Child Care Affordability Program, make support more accessible for all providers”
“I will expand property tax relief for Maine homeowners through stronger income-sensitive protections and an expanded homestead exemption”
On the ballot with them · Maine, Nov 3, 2026
ME Senate
Troy Jackson (D) · 60%
vs. Susan Collins (R) · 41%
ME-1
Chellie Pingree (D) · 98%
vs. Ron Russell (R) · 3%
ME-2 · open seat
Paul LePage (R) · 55%
vs. Matt Dunlap (D) · 45%
Statement estimate · odds are a market close, not a poll
Rick Bennett
Candidate · Governor · Maine
Independent · Challenger2%
To win · Kalshi
▲ 1 pts since July
7
Days to Nov 3
vs. Pingree (D)
The campaign · in their wordsRead Oct 19, 2026 ↗
“INDEPENDENT FOR A BETTER MAINE”
Plank 1
#1. Reduce down payments for first-time homebuyers
“As Governor, I will create a state-backed down payment guarantee so that qualified first-time buyers can purchase a home with far less cash up front so more young people and more families can put down roots in the towns they love.”
Plank 2
#2. Provide direct mortgage support to make monthly payments affordable
“As Governor, I will launch a Direct Mortgage Support program that helps families cover part of their monthly mortgage payment in exchange for a fair, capped share of future appreciation when they sell the home”
Plank 3
#2. Keep great teachers in Maine classrooms
“As Governor, I will help recruit and keep great teachers by supporting paid student teaching, mentoring new educators, and building real pathways for talented people to teach and stay in Maine.”
Page titles and first lines from the campaign's site, unedited · bennettforgovernor.com
Where They Stand
EstimateNo votes yet, so this is read from the campaign’s own words.
Issue · by emphasisRead · talks about
Energy and landLeft 25
Left, 25 points from center
Budget and taxesMixed
Mixed
TradeL-lean 18
L-lean, 18 points from center
Business and laborRt-lean 18
Rt-lean, 18 points from center
Health careL-lean 18
L-lean, 18 points from center
EducationL-lean 13
L-lean, 13 points from center
Civil rightsL-lean 18
L-lean, 18 points from center
Odds over time · Kalshi
Pingree 96%Charles 6%Bennett 2%
The race · ME Governor · 7 days out
Hannah PingreeDemocrat · challenger · Left 34 from statements96%Rick BennettIndependent · challenger · Left 23 from statements2%3423
Hollow = estimate from statements · solid = voting record
In their own words
“I will support permanent wage supplements, strengthen career pathways and scholarships”
“I will fully fund the Child Care Affordability Program, make support more accessible for all providers”
“I will expand property tax relief for Maine homeowners through stronger income-sensitive protections and an expanded homestead exemption”
On the ballot with them · Maine
ME SenateJackson (D) vs. Collins (R)60% · 41%ME-1Pingree (D) vs. Russell (R)98% · 3%ME-2 · open seatLePage (R) vs. Dunlap (D)55% · 45%
Statement estimate · odds are a market close, not a poll