Niece of Bobby Charles defends him in op-ed after her mother criticized him
Maine Gubernatorial Race Heats Up as Family Divides Over Bobby Charles
Portland, September 9 (Maine News Now) – Republican nominee Bobby Charles stood in Congress Square Park in downtown Portland to address his sister Anita Charles’s recent public criticism of his campaign. The press conference, held on Tuesday, was the third day in a row of public family statements that have added a personal dimension to an already contentious race for governor.
Charles began by acknowledging that his sister had spoken at an earlier event in the day, telling reporters that she would not vote for him and would instead support Democrat Hannah Pingree. “I’m Bobby Charles’ sister, I’m voting for Hannah Pingree,” Anita had declared in a written op‑ed that appeared in the Portland Press Herald earlier in the week. In that piece she cited “divisive rhetoric,” attacks on public education and anti‑abortion positions as the reasons she could not back her brother’s campaign. She also referenced her own childhood sexual assault and the fact that Charles had a friendship with former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who was convicted in 2015 of covering up abuse of teenage boys.
When asked to respond, Charles said, “We disagree on some things, but the big things in life, I would say, we don’t disagree on.” He added that he respects his sister’s experience of sexual assault and that he will continue to support her. “I do not want to let this family feud become a campaign issue,” he told reporters, “and I want people to know that my family’s private matters should stay private.”
In the days that followed, Charles’s niece, Malvika Ames, also weighed in. Ames, who lives in Veazie and does not hold a public office, published an op‑ed titled “Let me tell you about the Bobby Charles I know.” The article focuses on fond memories of her uncle’s mentorship, his advice on buying a home, and the support he offered during both joyful and challenging times in her life. She wrote, “From my own experiences, I can say that Bobby has been a good uncle, a mentor and someone I am grateful to have in my corner.” Ames made it clear she was not commenting on her mother’s allegations. She added, “Families are complicated, and two people can have very different experiences and relationships within the same family. I don’t believe it’s my place to speak for anyone else’s experiences, just as no one else can speak for mine.”
The family debate has unfolded as the race itself has remained evenly split. Current polling shows Democrat Hannah Pingree, former Maine House speaker and daughter of U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, holding a lead over Charles by a sizable margin. Independent candidate Rick Bennett also remains a distant third in most polls.
Charles, a former Leeds lawyer and former assistant U.S. secretary of state, has repeatedly highlighted his experience in foreign affairs and his conservative stance on issues such as education and abortion. Pingree, meanwhile, has emphasized her legislative track record and her family’s longstanding ties to Maine politics.
While the campaign continues to focus on policy differences—health care, education, state budget, and abortion—the family statements have brought an unprecedented level of personal scrutiny to the race. According to Charles’s campaign, the discussion is “a private family matter that should remain outside the public arena.” In contrast, Anita and Ames have used their platform to underscore the importance of personal experience and family dynamics in shaping political views.
The election, scheduled for November, will determine who will replace Governor Janet Mills. Until that day, the campaign and its surrounding controversies remain a focal point of Maine politics.
