Podcast Summary:

Andy Beshear Podcast – “Primed for 2026: Meet Maine's Highly Contested Governor's Race Candidates”
Host: Andy Beshear
Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This jam-packed episode features five major Democratic candidates in Maine’s high-stakes 2026 governor’s race. Host Andy Beshear sits down with each candidate—Shanna Bellows, Angus King III, Hannah Pingree, Troy Jackson, and Dr. Nirav Shah—to explore their backgrounds, values, campaign priorities, and visions for Maine. The episode centers on authentic conversations about leadership, working-class experience, affordability, health care, housing, civil rights, climate—and how Democratic governors can respond to a tumultuous national political context and push back against policies from the Trump administration. The candidates offer both personal stories and practical policy ideas, giving voters a deep dive into one of the nation’s most closely watched gubernatorial primaries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shanna Bellows – Secretary of State, Former ACLU Director, State Senator

Segment Begins: [02:50]

Background & Motivation

• Grew up working-class in rural Maine (“didn't have electricity or running water until she was in the fifth grade”) ([02:50]).
• Career of public service: Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, ACLU of Maine, state senator, Secretary of State.

Connecting Across the Aisle

• “I knocked on 10,075 doors my first race… we have more in common than divides us.” – Shanna Bellows ([04:55])
• Emphasizes authenticity, cultural connection, and “no permanent enemies, just permanent principles” ([05:30]).

Civil Rights and ICE

• As ACLU head, pushed back on federal abuses and ICE raids:
  “Operation Catch of the Day… is just grotesque. Immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, they're our friends, our neighbors, and to dehumanize them in that way is just horrible.” ([07:27])
• Refused to authorize undercover plates for ICE: “In a democracy, there are no secret police.” ([08:20])

Election Security

• Led a coalition to protect personal voter data from DOJ:
  “I said, go jump in the Gulf of Maine. And I recruited Republican and Democratic secretaries of state to join me. We have a 27 state coalition fighting back.” ([09:27])

Affordability & Working-Class Roots

• “I don’t need a focus group to learn how to talk to Trump voters. They’re in my family.” ([10:57])
• Served as chair of Labor and Housing Committee, working on housing, taxes, and healthcare.

Vision for Maine’s Future

• Economic growth, top-tier education, rural healthcare, and protecting Maine’s identity and pride ([11:59]).

Campaign Distinction & Superpowers

• Experience fighting Trump, working-class roots, and winning tough races ([13:12]).
• Notable moment: “I’m a speed reader… I also won the Senate bass fishing tournament.” ([14:14])

Campaign Info

• “bellowsformaine.com” & active on social media ([15:08]).

2. Angus King III – Entrepreneur, Housing & Renewable Energy Leader

Segment Begins: [15:43]

Background & Motivation

• Decades building affordable housing and clean energy initiatives across six states.
• Cites need for “new perspective and a new approach”—not a career politician ([16:26]).

People-Focused Approach

• Sees two “chasms”:
  1. Between “people and politics”—everyday concerns vs. political noise
  2. Between “policy and practice”—the gap between intent and reality ([16:26])

Navigating Legacy

• Recognizes both benefits and pressures of famous name (son of Senator Angus King):
  “The name on the back of your jersey doesn't make a damn bit of difference when you're out there doing the work.” ([19:27])

Housing Crisis

• “Maine is about 80,000 units short on housing.” ([23:15])
• Stresses streamlining permitting, supporting new construction, and workforce development.

Education & Workforce

• Wants to move from the “bottom” back to “top 10 in the country” for schools ([25:13]).
• Focused on vocational training and dignity of skilled trades.

Economic Development

• “Maine last year was ranked 45th on business friendliness… we can do a lot more to help them grow.” ([25:13])

Values & Motivation

• “The why is… how do you make a difference for people's lives?” ([27:28])
• Describes resilience with hands-on story: “I had to go up and shovel manure from 7 o’clock at night to 5 o’clock the next morning to make sure the machine kept running.” ([28:43])

National Stakes

• “Democratic governors are where good things are going to happen. Given what the Trump administration is doing right now…” ([29:04])
• Argues for “opening up the tent” and electability appeal for the general election.

Campaign Info

• “angusforgovernor.com” ([30:55])

3. Hannah Pingree – Former Speaker of the House, Policy Innovator

Segment Begins: [32:25]

Background & Approach

• Lifelong Mainer; led at all levels from school board to policy innovation office.
• Grew up on small offshore island (population 400): “You literally have to take a ferry to get there.” ([35:20])

Community Response to ICE

• Praises Maine’s collective response: “People were standing up for their neighbors… clergy members who created a huge barricade [to protect factory workers from ICE].” ([33:25])

Youth Engagement & Leadership

• “I ran for office… at 26, became speaker at 30.” ([36:30])
• Advocates for young leaders: “Young people have never been more needed or more urgently important in our political process.” ([36:45])

Affordability Crisis

• “Families are really struggling… we have a lot of people who moved to Maine during COVID… If we don’t get [housing and healthcare] right, Maine will not be a place that young people can thrive.” ([38:44])
• Highlights risks of rising private equity in real estate and hospitals.

Policy Solutions

• Statewide housing plan; supports a public health insurance option; investments in primary care and childcare.
• “Governors are really having to lead the way.” ([41:15])

Vision for Maine

• Retaining young people, supporting innovation and small business, and investing in rural areas:
  “My vision as governor is… we have to really stoke that bright future for Maine by solving challenges like housing that people can afford, high quality education, jobs especially in rural areas.” ([41:23])

Relationship with Current Governor

• Has worked with Janet Mills, but would “pass a bill giving our tribal nations sovereignty” ([44:30]).

Campaign Info

• “hannaforgovernor.com” ([45:49])

4. Troy Jackson – Senate President, Fifth-Generation Logger, Union Champion

Segment Begins: [47:56]

Background & Working-Class Identity

• Fifth-generation logger (“My father… was working, you know, 80 hours a week or more”) ([49:26]).
• Emphasizes class solidarity: “I'm not from the right or from the left, I'm from the bottom.” ([51:43])

Fighting for Voice & Fairness

• Saw his father silenced at work, fueling Troy’s drive (“a big part of what this campaign is about is I don't think working-class people have to put up with that.”) ([50:55])

Government for the People

• “I grew up thinking that government was supposed to work for people that played by the rules… but when I really needed government to work for me and my colleagues in the woods, it didn't.” ([52:18])
• Ran for office to fix this, fought “power and influence” in Augusta.

Taking on Big Pharma

• On drug prices: “Prescription drugs are the exact same [in Canada] but for some odd reason as soon as they cross into Maine, they're not safe anymore. And that's obviously just bullshit… greed and lies.” ([54:01])
• Advocates for state-level action against pharma lawsuits: “If our argument is we're going to be sued, we're always going to lose.” ([54:01])

Affordability & Working Family Agenda

• Legislative record includes expanding universal school meals, childcare, nursing home funding, and strong union ties.
• “We can do real tax reform for Mainers. There's so much going on that the state really needs to jump into.” ([57:59])
• Calls for progressive tax changes and property tax relief.

Campaign Distinction

• Only candidate with deep rural roots, union leadership, “winning state senate races in the Trump 17 point districts.” ([58:12])

Campaign Info

• “jacksonformaine.com” ([60:44])

5. Dr. Nirav Shah – Public Health Leader, Former CDC Director of Maine

Segment Begins: [62:03]

Background & Motivation

• Medical doctor and lawyer; led public health in Illinois before Maine CDC.
• Instrumental in COVID-19 response.

State Leadership vs. Federal Inaction

• “In this moment, the way in which our health, our safety, and our rights will be protected is through state governments and the governors who lead them.” ([64:04])
• States will have to lead on vaccines, climate protection, and civil rights as the “federal government… has picked up their ball and gone home.”

ICE & Law Enforcement Overreach

• Advocates strong response to federal incursions:
  “I think all states should be considering… evaluating the consequences of violation of rights on the part of federal law enforcement. This includes… limits of qualified immunity.” ([65:41])

Healthcare Access

• “What I hear most often is concerns about healthcare and… affordability.” ([68:01])
• Highlights rural maternity care crisis and hospital closures:
  “If you are considering moving to a rural town… you are that much less likely to move there if there's not health care and that repair can take decades to fix.” ([71:19])

Addressing Affordability & Housing

• Proposes state-backed help with down payments; “all gas, no brakes” on missing-middle housing construction ([71:36]).

Philosophy: Extreme Pragmatism

• “I’m proud of being an extreme pragmatist… The main question for me is, does it work?” ([73:50])
• Heterodox, solution-based approach.

Campaign Info

• “shawformaine.com” ([74:51])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Shanna Bellows: “No permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent principles.” ([05:30])
• Angus King III: “The name on the back of your jersey doesn't make a damn bit of difference when you're out there doing the work.” ([19:27])
• Hannah Pingree: “Politics was really always connected to public service… how my community worked.” ([35:26])
• Troy Jackson: “I'm not from the right or from the left, I'm from the bottom.” ([51:43])
• Troy Jackson (on Big Pharma): “And that's obviously just bullshit… greed and lies.” ([54:01])
• Dr. Nirav Shah: “I’m proud of being an extreme pragmatist… when I think about policy… does it work?” ([73:50])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Introduction/Overview: [00:38] – [02:50]
• Shanna Bellows interview: [02:50] – [15:37]
• Angus King III interview: [15:43] – [31:18]
• Hannah Pingree interview: [32:25] – [47:48]
• Troy Jackson interview: [47:56] – [60:53]
• Dr. Nirav Shah interview: [62:03] – [74:54]

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a thorough, empathetic exploration of what’s at stake in Maine’s gubernatorial contest—from protecting democracy and civil rights, to solving the affordability and healthcare crisis foremost in voters’ minds. Each candidate reveals personal stories that connect authentically with listeners. The common theme: Maine’s future relies on bold, principled, and pragmatic leadership in a state (and national) moment of consequence.

Campaign Links:

• Shanna Bellows
• Angus King III
• Hannah Pingree
• Troy Jackson
• Dr. Nirav Shah