AUGUSTA, Maine —A second Democratic candidate for the Blaine House in 2026 has officially announced their campaign.
Angus King III, the son of U.S. Senator and former Maine Governor Angus King, officially announced his run for the seat Tuesday morning.
Unlike his father, King III plans to campaign as a Democrat but says his priorities cross party lines.
“My goal is to be the governor for everybody in the state of Maine,” said King in an interview with Maine’s Total Coverage. “That’s what’s going to be my focus — what we have in common.”
Although King III is a newcomer to politics and 2026 will be his first run for public office, he says his resume proves that he can deliver results. As the founder and former president of Peaks Renewables, King III oversaw a renewable energy project that’s able to produce natural gas from cow manure.
On day one, he says his focus would be bringing costs down for Maine families, and making health care, child care and housing more accessible and affordable.
“I want to now run for governor, to build a better Maine so our families can afford to live here and our kids can afford to stay,” said King III. “I’ve spent my life bringing people together to solve big problems. That’s what I have to offer, and I’m really excited to get the job done.”
King III is entering the race with support from his father, who served as Maine governor from 1995 to 2003, before settling into his role in Washington as U.S. Senator in 2013.
King III says following in his father’s footsteps comes with both pressure and pride and wants Mainers to know that he’s more than just a legacy candidate.
During our interview with King III, the 54-year-old husband and father of two was quick to credit Maine’s current governor, Janet Mills, for her leadership, referencing the moment in February when she told President Donald Trump at the White House “see you in court,” over the issue of transgender inclusion in school sports and federal threats to pull funding.
“I think any time the bully tries to steal your lunch money and you’re able to get the lunch money back from the bully, that’s a pretty great outcome,” said King III. “I’m proud of the governor for doing that. I don’t think you need to be a Democrat. I think you being Independent or a Republican or, frankly, from outer space and know that you shouldn’t play politics with kids, school lunches or Social Security.”
King III is the second Democrat to formally announce their bid for Maine governor, following Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ campaign launch in March.
Senate President Troy Jackson also signaled his interest in the governor’s seat and formed an exploratory campaign committee in March.
Incumbent Gov. Mills cannot seek re-election due to term limits.
On the Republican side, Robert Charles a lawyer and former U.S. Assistance Secretary of State and Robert Wessels a former selectman from the town of Paris declared their candidacy this year.