Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund Congratulates Governor-elect Hannah Pingree

DATE: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

CONTACT: Gabe Cole, gabe@maineconservation.org, (610) 574-5141

Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund Congratulates Governor-elect Hannah Pingree

Augusta, ME: Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund (MCVAF) is thrilled to congratulate Maine Governor-elect Hannah Pingree on her decisive victory over Bobby Charles and Rick Bennett in the gubernatorial race.

“We congratulate Hannah on a positive, future-focused campaign and a hard-earned victory,” said Maureen Drouin, Executive Director, Maine Conservation Voters. “Today’s result shows that Mainers want leaders like Hannah who will stand up to polluters and ensure our air, land, and water are protected for future generations. We’re looking forward to working with the Governor-elect to build a future in Maine where people and nature thrive through a healthy environment, a strong democracy, and a sustainable economy.”  

For the first time ever, MCVAF made an endorsement in a gubernatorial primary, backing Governor-elect Pingree. She has the experience, backbone, and smarts to deliver real results for Maine people on the issues that matter most, like housing, energy, utility accountability, and climate change. 

“Maine deserves leadership that looks ahead with confidence and vision. We need someone with the experience to advocate for all Mainers, tackle rising energy costs, establish responsible guardrails for large-scale data centers, and take on greedy corporations when they put profits ahead of people. Hannah Pingree is that leader,” said Rani Sheaffer, Deputy Director, Maine Conservation Voters.

After helping Governor-elect Pingree’s victory in the Democratic primary with one of the largest independent expenditure campaigns, MCVAF maintained its support and backing of Governor-elect Pingree in the general election, investing a total of nearly $1 million in the gubernatorial race.  

“Maine saw very high turnout this year because voters understand what’s at stake: Maine’s environment, our economy, and a sustainable future for our people. MCV Action Fund put its full weight and effort behind electing Hannah Pingree as governor to help elect a leader who will deliver on the issues that matter most to Mainers,” said Dan Jenkins, Political Director, Maine Conservation Voters 

Program Summary

MCV Action Fund ran an independent expenditure campaign to help elect Hannah Pingree in the Democratic primary that carried through to the general election, spending a total of just over $1,000,000. This level of investment reflects the organization’s deep commitment to fighting for leaders, who are prepared to take on the challenges ahead: rising costs, more frequent and extreme weather events, and the failed leadership in Washington require a governor who can lead with clarity, conviction, and strength. 

We layered various forms of communication to target likely Democratic voters in the primary, with positive messages about Hannah over digital, cable, broadcast television, mail, and text-based canvassing.  Our ads included a 30-second ad Mainers Know, and five 15-second ads that highlighted Hannah’s healthcare plan, her plans to fight utility costs, the top reasons to vote for Hannah and her endorsement by Governor Mills. We also ran a robust social media campaign, boosting positive messages about Hannah, and, in the general election, produced this digital ad, promoting Hannah as a governor who will protect Maine from Big Tech and data centers. We also expanded our legislative program to give Hannah a pro-conservation majority in the State Legislature. 

Pingree’s record:

• Hannah, more so than any other candidate, has put the protection of the environment and climate action at the top of her priorities. She has years of proven leadership, experience, and is unwavering in her commitment to protecting clean air and water and our children’s future.

• Hannah has a demonstrated record of standing up to special interests – like the chemical industry and Big Oil – with winning results for Maine families.

• Hannah has championed cost-saving climate and clean energy solutions, like heat pumps, to put money back in the pockets of Maine families and businesses.

• Hannah has the guts, smarts, and the experience to stand up to the Trump administration and will fight for our climate, environment, and democracy.

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