06/10/2026
The first-place results are in, and it is clear I will not be the next Republican nominee for Governor. Because of ranked choice voting, the official winner will not be known for some time. When that result is final, they will have my congratulations and my best wishes for the road ahead.
First, thank you.
Thank you to every volunteer who collected signatures when our back was against the wall, made phone calls, came out to events, and spent countless hours on this campaign. Thank you to our donors who believed enough in this effort to invest your hard-earned money. Thank you to my family, my friends, and everyone who stood with us over these many months. A special thanks to Holly, who went from supporter to one of our very best campaigners. And to my parents, who collected more than 200 signatures themselves.
Most importantly, thank you to the people of Maine who welcomed us into their communities and shared their stories with us.
To everyone who stood for this nomination, congratulations. Campaigns are hard work, and anyone who steps forward to serve deserves respect.
Very few people expected me to win this race. And while tonight's result is not the one we hoped for, it is far more than most expected from the son of a third-generation logger and a second-generation lunch lady who grew up in a trailer in Patten.
When we started, we set out to do something bigger than win a primary. We set out to start a conversation about the future of Maine, and about the people who too often feel forgotten by the political system.
We talked about working families struggling to afford a home. About young people leaving because they cannot see a future here. About seniors worried about rising costs. About rural communities that feel like Augusta remembers them only during election season.
And we did not just talk about the problems. We ran a positive, issues-based campaign, and we offered real solutions.
Through Maine 2040, we laid out a roadmap for change. A vision to make Maine more affordable, more competitive, and more prosperous for the next generation. We offered ideas, solutions, and a long-term strategy for where this state can go if we are willing to think beyond the next election cycle.
I am proud of that work. I am proud that together we elevated the issues that matter to working people. I am proud that we challenged ourselves to think bigger about Maine's future. And I am proud that we proved there are still people willing to engage in serious conversations about serious challenges.
The campaign is over for me, but those challenges remain. The need for leadership remains. And my belief in Maine's future remains as strong as ever.
So tonight is not an ending. It is the end of one chapter.
I do not know exactly what my next steps are. But I know this much. Whatever they are, they will be about being part of the solution.
For now, I am going to spend some time with the people who gave up the most for this campaign, my wife and my kids. So if you are looking for me, you will find me at a playground near you.
Thank you for believing in this campaign. Thank you for believing in me. And thank you for believing that Maine's best days are still ahead of us.
God bless you, and God bless the great State of Maine.
