Belfast

Democrat Hannah Pingree has won Maine's gubernatorial race, defeating Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett, according to the Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ. The Associated Press called the race with Pingree taking a majority of votes to Charles's share once a majority of ballots were counted. The win extends Democratic control of the governor's office to a third consecutive term, succeeding term-limited Gov. Janet Mills.

Pingree, a former Maine House Speaker and daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree, emerged from a crowded Democratic primary that included Nirav Shah and Shenna Bellows, winning on a later round of ranked-choice counting. She entered the general election as the clear favorite, campaigning on expanding healthcare access and affordable housing, while Charles ran on public safety, schools, tax relief and government accountability.