Gorham Republican enters Maine's 2026 governor's race
Jun. 11—AUGUSTA — Owen McCarthy, a medical technology entrepreneur from Gorham, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor.
McCarthy, a Harvard Business School graduate who co-founded MedRhythms, which helps patients recover mobility, is looking to capitalize on his outsider status and said he aims to rein in "runaway spending," deliver tax relief to struggling Mainers and small businesses, and "crack down on illegal immigration by cooperating with federal law enforcement."
"I'm not a politician," McCarthy said in a written statement. "I'm an engineer, entrepreneur, husband, and father. I believe Maine can lead again if we get back to basics: rewarding work, respecting taxpayers, and making opportunity real in every zip code."
McCarthy is 35 years old and describes himself as "a native of Patten who grew up in a trailer as the son of a third-generation logger and a second-generation lunch lady."
He is a graduate of the University of Maine and Harvard Business School and has served as a trustee for the University of Maine System.
Gov. Janet Mills cannot seek reelection next year because of term limits and the field of candidates seeking to replace Mills continues to grow.
McCarthy is the sixth Republican to declare or file paperwork for the 2026 race.
Bobby Charles, a Leeds resident and lawyer who served under President George W. Bush, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in April. State Sen. James Libby, R-Standish, declared last month.
Other Republicans who have filed campaign paperwork with the state are: Republicans David Jones, of Falmouth; Steven Shepherd, of Bangor; Robert Wessels, of South Paris; and Ken Capron, of Portland.
Democrats have several candidates with relatively high name recognition in the race: Secretary of State Shenna Bellows; former Senate President Troy Jackson; renewable energy entrepreneur Angus King III, the son of independent U.S. Sen. Angus King; and former House Speaker and Mills cabinet official Hannah Pingree, daughter U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District.
Other candidates who have filed campaign paperwork with the state are: Democrat Kenneth Pinette, of South Portland; and Alexander Murchison, an unenrolled candidate from Dover-Foxcroft.
Democrats have held a trifecta since Mills took office in 2019, maintaining majorities in both the House and Senate.
But the party is facing historic headwinds in 2026.
Since the 1950s, Mainers have not elected a candidate from the same political party as a departing governor — a trend that began after Maine had five consecutive Republican governors from 1937 through 1955.
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