MAINE – Governor Janet Mills endorsed Hannah Pingree for Governor of Maine, declaring her the candidate best prepared to lead the state through the challenges ahead. The endorsement represents the most significant to date in the Democratic primary.
“Maine Democrats have choices when it comes to who they want their next governor to be. I have worked closely with many of the candidates and consider them friends. But one person stands out from the crowd for me — and that’s Hannah Pingree,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I have known Hannah for many years, and I can say without a doubt that she is a leader of courage, integrity, strength, compassion, and action — someone who is unafraid to fight for what is right and who will deliver for Maine people day after day. Hannah is a leader whom Maine people can trust. She has deep roots in Maine and hands on experience in education, health care policy, climate action, work force development and civil rights. Hannah Pingree will always be there for the people of Maine. She understands our challenges, including the threats from the federal government. She is ready to tackle every issue, find real solutions and make our state proud. I am very pleased to endorse Hannah and to stand beside her in this fight.”
Governor Mills has been on the front lines of the fight against the Trump administration — defending health care, protecting reproductive rights, and pushing back against the loss of federal dollars that Maine families, farmers, and towns depend on. Hannah is running to meet that moment and build a stronger, more affordable Maine for the years ahead.
“Governor Mills knows how to stand up to a bully and she cares deeply for the people of Maine. I’m honored to have her support in this race,” said Hannah. “She knows what’s at stake and what it takes — from protecting reproductive rights and making housing and health care affordable, to going toe to toe with Washington when Maine’s future is on the line. That’s the fight ahead, and I’m ready for it.”
Governor Mills and Hannah first served together in the Maine Legislature. When Governor Mills took office in 2019, she asked Hannah to build and lead the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF). Over the next six years, they worked side by side on the biggest challenges facing the state. The record of progress for Maine is undeniable.
Under Hannah’s leadership, GOPIF spearheaded Maine Won’t Wait, the landmark climate action plan built with more than 200 leaders, scientists, and community advocates. Ultimately installing over 100,000 heat pumps and making significant investments in 250+ communities for climate action. Hannah oversaw a historic $300 million investment in affordable housing, directed the $1 billion Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan — ranking Maine first in New England for deploying federal recovery funds — launched the Office of New Americans, and led the fight to pass a $60 million storm recovery package, the largest in Maine history, following the devastating 2023 and 2024 storms.
This major endorsement in the final three weeks of the primary campaign, comes as Hannah campaigns on her comprehensive Maine’s Next Chapter plans focused on affordability and economic opportunity — addressing the rising cost of housing, health care, child care, property taxes, energy, and groceries, while laying out a strategy to grow wages and expand opportunity across Maine’s rural, coastal, and urban communities.
A poll released last week showed that Hannah’s position in the race for Governor is growing stronger as the race enters its final weeks. Since last year, she has surpassed Shenna Bellows in the horserace and trails only Nirav Shah. After the respondents receive biographical information on all of the candidates, the gap between Hannah Pingree and Nirav Shah closes to 5 points, showing her as the only clear candidate who can beat him in the race.
Hannah has been leading her Maine’s Next Chapter Tour, traveling to communities statewide for town halls, house parties, and listening sessions where Mainers can connect directly with her and share their vision for the state’s future. Her campaign continues to build momentum with endorsements from Speaker of the Maine House Ryan Fecteau, Attorney General Aaron Frey, Mayor Jeff Harmon (Auburn), Mayor Eric Sanders (Belfast) Mayor Elyse Tipton (South Portland) more than 120 current and former state legislators, Maine High School Democrats, Rachel’s Action Network, the Sierra Club, Vote Mama, Maine Youth Power and Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund. She also has been named a “Gun Sense Candidate” by Mom’s Demand Action and a “Champion” by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
Those endorsements — alongside strong debate performances, packed community events, Town Halls, house parties, and listening sessions statewide — have fueled record volunteer engagement and growing momentum in every corner of the state in advance of the June 9th primary.
For more information on Hannah Pingree’s campaign, visit www.hannahforgovernor.com.
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