Maine GOP Governor Primary Heads to Ranked-Choice Runoff as Bobby Charles Falls Short of 50%
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10
Maine GOP Governor Primary Heads to Ranked-Choice Runoff as Bobby Charles Falls Short of 50%
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10
Summary
Bobby Charles led Maine’s Republican gubernatorial primary early Wednesday but stayed well below the 50% threshold needed to avoid a ranked-choice runoff.
Maine’s system will now reallocate votes from last-place finishers in successive counting rounds until one candidate tops 50%, with officials expected to confirm a winner within one to two weeks.
Jonathan Bush and Benjamin Midgley were splitting much of the remaining vote in the crowded field, which also includes Owen McCarthy, Garrett Mason, David Jones and Robert Wessels.
Charles, a former State Department official under George W. Bush, ran on cutting taxes and spending, stopping illegal drugs and investigating term-limited Democratic Governor Janet Mills.
Maine is one of only two states using ranked-choice voting, and the Democratic gubernatorial primary is also headed to a runoff in a politically divided state where Democrats still control state government.