King’s father, Sen. Angus King, is an independent who was elected governor of Maine in 1994 and then re-elected in 1998.
Published: 11:38 AM EDT May 6, 2025
Updated: 7:42 PM EDT May 6, 2025
PORTLAND, Maine — Angus King III, the son of U.S. Sen. Angus King Jr., announced Tuesday he is running for Maine governor.
King, a Democrat who has never held public office, is the founder and former president of Peaks Renewables, a renewable energy development company specializing in the development of low carbon, carbon-neutral, and carbon-negative fuels like renewable natural gas and green hydrogen, according to its website.
“Right now, so many of the things we care about are at risk and life is too hard for too many. It’s time to try something different and build something better,” King said in a social media post announcing his candidacy. “That’s why I’m running for governor. To build a better Maine. You already know my name, but I hope you’ll take a moment to learn a little about me. Let’s do this together.”
Born in Skowhegan, King now lives in Portland with his wife, two children, and dog Snowy, according to his campaign website. He and his family like to spend as much time as possible enjoying Maine’s woods, waters, and outdoors, including hunting, hiking, and fishing, the website reads.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills cannot run in the next election as gubernatorial term limits limit her to two consecutive terms.
King is one of seven candidates so far who have filed campaign finance paperwork with the state in the 2026 gubernatorial election. That list includes three Democrats, three Republicans, and one unenrolled candidate.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, announced her candidacy in March. Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, also a Democrat, said he is forming an exploratory committee to consider a campaign.
King’s father, Sen. Angus King Jr., is an independent who was elected governor of Maine in 1994 and then re-elected in 1998. He has served as Maine’s junior U.S. senator since 2013.
Signatures to qualify for the ballot are due to the Maine Department of the Secretary of State by March 16, 2026, with primary elections set for June 9, 2026.