Jonathan Bush and Angus King III knocked out in Maine governor primary

Maine’s ranked‑choice gubernatorial primary saw two political dynasties falter. Republican Jonathan Bush, the nephew of former President George H. W. Bush and a former Athenahealth founder, was eliminated after the sixth round of tabulation. On the Democratic side, Angus King III, son of Sen. Angus King, was ousted in the first round.

The primary left Democrat Hannah Pingree, former speaker of the Maine House and daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree, and Republican Bobby Charles as the contenders for the November general election to succeed term‑limited Gov. Janet Mills. Ranked‑choice voting allows voters to rank candidates; the lowest‑finishers are eliminated and their votes reallocated until a candidate reaches a majority. Bush’s campaign was hampered by past allegations of domestic violence and controversial remarks, while King III’s brief political résumé includes founding an energy firm after work in the Clinton administration.

The Maine Secretary of State confirmed the upcoming race, marking a shift away from the influence of well‑known family names in the state’s politics.