2026 ME Governor's race: on Gun Control


Robert Charles: 2nd Amendment particularly important in rural areas

In discussing the tragic shooting that took place in Maine, Bobby, who resides very close to the area of the tragedy, emphasized the importance of the 2nd Amendment throughout America, but particularly in rural areas where police response times can be long. "The second amendment in action. When danger is seconds away, the police are minutes away," said Charles.
Source: Association of Mature Americans on 2026 Maine Governor race Nov 2, 2023

Shenna Bellows: Allow towns to ban guns at polling places

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who is also running for governor next year, said towns should have the option to regulate firearms in polling places because there is often anxiety over threats to election workers that data collected by her office shows persist. "This may not be right for every municipality, but for some, it could be the right option, and we believe they should have the option," she said, speaking in favor of the bill.
Source: Maine Morning Star, "Ban Guns," on 2026 Maine Governor race May 1, 2025

Troy Jackson: After mass shooting now supports red flag law

I know how this governor's race is going to go. My opponents on both sides of the aisle (and in between) will use this endorsement against me. They will say I was with the NRA then and am against them now. They're right, because here's the truth: I was wrong. Here's the other thing I know: refusing to change, even after the worst mass shooting in Maine's history, would be the real failure. Evolving isn't a weakness. It's courage. It's what leaders should do when faced with hard truths.
Source: CentralMaine.com OpEd: 2026 Maine Gubernatorial race Oct 7, 2025

Rick Bennett: Bennett voted against all of the gun control measures

During the most recent legislative session, Bennett voted against all of the gun control measures Palmer's coalition supported, including bills on safe storage, bump stock bans (which would have restricted the sale of devices that convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic weapons) and high capacity magazine bans for weapons that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. However, Bennett also said he would implement the red flag law and the 72-hour waiting period if elected.
Source: Maine Morning Star on 2026 Maine Gubernatorial race Sep 21, 2026

  • The above quotations are from 2026 Maine Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Shenna Bellows on Gun Control.
  • Click here for more quotes by Robert Charles on Gun Control.
Gubernatorial candidates on Gun Control:
Gubernatorial races in 2026:
  • AK: Mike Dunleavy(R,term-limited)
  • AL: Kay Ivey(R,term-limited)
  • AR: Sarah Huckabee Sanders(R,for re-election)
  • AZ: Katie Hobbs(D,for re-election)
  • CA: Gavin Newsom(D,term-limited)
  • CO: Jared Polis(D,term-limited)
  • CT: Ned Lamont(D,for re-election)
  • FL: Ron DeSantis(R,term-limited)
  • GA: Brian Kemp(R,term-limited)
  • HI: Josh Green(D,for re-election)
  • IA: Kim Reynolds(R,retiring)
  • ID: Brad Little(R,for re-election)
  • IL: J.B. Pritzker(D,for re-election)
  • KS: Laura Kelly(D,term-limited)
  • MA: Maura Healey(D,for re-election)
  • MD: Wes Moore(D,for re-election)
  • ME: Janet Mills(D,term-limited)
    		• 2026 gubernatorial races continued...
  • MI: Gretchen Whitmer(D,term-limited)
  • MN: Tim Walz(D,retiring)
  • NE: Jim Pillen(R,for re-election)
  • NH: Kelly Ayotte(R,for re-election)
  • NM: Michelle Lujan-Grisham(D,term-limited)
  • NV: Joe Lombardo(R)
  • NY: Kathy Hochul(D,for re-election)
  • OH: Mike DeWine(R,term-limited)
  • OK: Kevin Stitt(R,term-limited)
  • OR: Tina Kotek(D,for re-election)
  • PA: Josh Shapiro(D,for re-election)
  • RI: Dan McKee(D,for re-election)
  • SC: Henry McMaster(R,term-limited)
  • SD: Larry Rhoden(R,for re-election)
  • TN: Bill Lee(R,term-limited)
  • TX: Greg Abbott(R,for re-election)
  • VT: Phil Scott(R,for re-election)
  • WI: Tony Evers(D,retiring)
  • WY: Mark Gordon(R,term-limited)
    • Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
    Click for details -- or send donations to:
    1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
    E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
    (We rely on your support!)

    Page last updated: Oct 18, 2026