Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
9.0%
38.6%
23%
17.2%
10.4%
Republican
Ben Midgley
Republican candidate for Governor in Maine
Republican
Ben Midgley
Republican candidate for Governor in Maine
Maine Republican Governor nominee?
$168.1K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Maine Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$168.1KJUN 10, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationMaine
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BackgroundBusinessman
Notable personal detailsBenjamin T. Midgley is a Maine Republican businessman who ran for governor in the 2026 election cycle and is based in Kennebunkport. He has worked in the fitness industry, including serving as president of Planet Fitness and later leading Crunch Franchising as a founding partner and CEO. He filed as a traditionally financed candidate for governor with the Maine Ethics Commission.
SourcesShowHide
mainecampaignfinancedisclosure.commainepolicy.orgamericanspa.comen.wikipedia.orgmainepublic.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgtherealbenmidgley.comballotclarity.orgccrcme.comspider.cloudwmtw.comlinkedin.comjustthenews.combrunswickme.govdata.ballotpedia.orgmainestudentsvote.orgmidmainechamber.combhfs.comballotpedia.s3.amazonaws.comarxiv.orgbenforgovernor.comstrongermaine.orgbangordailynews.comthemainewire.commainemorningstar.combenforhallowell.comben-for-governor.medium.comtoppodcast.commainerighttolife.orgscience.goven.wiktionary.orgpodcasts.apple.comstudylib.netfacebook.cominstagram.commainebeacon.comthemainemonitor.orgfairvote.orgspectrumlocalnews.comballotpedia.orgreutersconnect.compredictionedge.comballotready.orgnga.orghistory.house.govfec.govgovinfo.govsenate.govdonate.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Ben Midgley is in the news because he is running in Maine’s crowded Republican governor primary, where ranked-choice tabulation is still determining the final outcome. He finished near the top in first-round voting and later formed an alliance with fellow candidate David Jones, with each urging supporters to rank the other second. Midgley also drew attention at the state party convention, where he won a non-scientific straw poll.
mainecampaignfinancedisclosure.com+51
Articles
BDBangor Daily News2 months ago
Use the BDN's ranked-choice simulator to see who could win Maine's gubernatorial primaries
Neutral
PPPortland Press Herald3 months ago
Republican candidates for Maine governor just forged another alliance
Positive
BDBangor Daily News3 months ago
How to watch Maine's GOP gubernatorial debate tonight
Neutral
BDBangor Daily News4 months ago
Maine GOP projects unity around crowded gubernatorial field at convention
Positive
Latest Polls
Maine Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Ben Midgley currently averages 9.0%, ranking 5th in this race, 1.3 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 9.0%Position: 5thMargin: -1.3 ptsLatest poll: 10.0% (May 28 - Jun 3)Polls included: 9
Average recalculated from polls through May 28 - Jun 3.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
3Maine Republican Governor nominee?
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising