Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
38.6%
23%
17.2%
10.4%
9.0%
Republican
Robert Charles
Maine Republican Governor nominee?
$168.1K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleAttorney
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age65 years old (Aug 23, 1960)
GenderMale
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LocationMaine
BackgroundAttorney
EducationDartmouth College (A.B.)
Notable personal detailsRobert Bruce “Bobby” Charles is an American attorney and Republican political figure in Maine. He served in the U.S. Department of State as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs during the George W. Bush administration. He has also worked in the Reagan and George H. W. Bush White Houses and served as a Naval Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
SourcesShowHide
history.state.govbobbyformaine.commainecampaignfinancedisclosure.comfedsoc.orgen.wikipedia.orgmaineaudubon.orgapps.npr.orghistory.house.govmultistate.uspressherald.commaine.govmainepublic.orgdata.ddhq.iobangordailynews.comwikizero.org21701012.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.netfec.govballotpedia.s3.amazonaws.comprnewswire.comjustthenews.comthemainewire.commainedems.orgdemocraticgovernors.orgthird-news.comamac.usseekingalpha.comccrcme.comspectrumlocalnews.comfoxnews.comthemainemonitor.orgfairvote.orgpeople.commonitorsaintpaul.comnpr.orgnewsweek.comfacebook.compredictionedge.cominstagram.comjoinrobertwhite.commainemorningstar.combluevoterguide.orgballotpedia.orgballotready.orgdocquery.fec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgvotesmart.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates major tax cuts and deregulation, including abolishing the state income tax and cutting regulations and fees to spur job growth and economic opportunity. Policy messaging emphasizes reducing tax burdens on businesses, seniors, and working families as central to his economic plan.
Healthcare
The candidate emphasizes strengthening oversight of MaineCare and addressing alleged fraud while supporting increased addiction recovery and mental health services. His campaign platform focuses heavily on tax cuts and government accountability but provides limited specific proposals on health coverage expansion or the Affordable Care Act.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes strict enforcement at Maine’s borders, supports close cooperation with federal immigration authorities (ICE), seeks rapid removals of people in the country illegally, and proposes measures to tighten the state’s northern border and accelerate immigration case processing. His public materials link immigration enforcement to combating drug trafficking and public-safety threats.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate identifies as pro-life and has pledged to pursue restrictions on abortion, including supporting an abortion ban and opposing taxpayer-funded abortions. He has publicly framed his position as opposing reproductive rights and backing policies to limit access to abortion in Maine.
Climate & Energy
The candidate opposes mandated electric vehicle requirements and characterizes aggressive climate mandates as impractical for Maine; his campaign emphasizes cutting regulations and taxes that he says harm industries and consumers. Policy language favors rolling back regulatory burdens and prioritizing economic and energy choices for Mainers rather than adopting aggressive emissions mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes red-flag style firearm confiscation measures and emphasizes support for law enforcement and public safety; criticizes new fees on concealed-carry permits and frames policy toward strengthening police and reducing crime rather than expanding gun restrictions.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Robert Charles has become the Republican nominee for Maine governor after the ranked-choice primary count was finalized. He will face Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett in the November election. Recent coverage has also focused on criticism of Charles over his support for Donald Trump and his proposal to eliminate Maine’s income tax, which opponents say would hurt state services.
history.state.gov+52
Articles
BDBangor Daily News1 month ago
Mainers can’t afford Bobby Charles as governor
Negative
AOArkansas Online1 month ago
Primaries in Maine set Pingree, Charles to compete for governor
Positive
UNUPI News1 month ago
Hannah Pingree, Bobby Charles advance in Maine gubernatorial election
Neutral
BDBangor Daily News2 months ago
Use the BDN's ranked-choice simulator to see who could win Maine's gubernatorial primaries
Positive
Polls
Maine Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Maine Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Robert Charles for Maine Republican Governor nominee?
Jonathan Bush
Elected official
Jonathan Bush endorsed Robert Charles' Republican bid for Maine governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising