We asked, primary candidates answered: What makes a would-be governor tick?

AUGUSTA — With the 2026 Maine gubernatorial race taking shape, candidates are sharing more than just policy positions. In response to a questionnaire, eleven hopefuls offered glimpses into their personal lives, revealing everything from their favorite Maine spots to the talents they wish they possessed.

Jonathan Bush, who turns 57 this month, counts flying his plane across Maine to meet voters as his greatest indulgence. The candidate, whose uncle is former President George H.W. Bush, calls his family his hero. His go-to drink? Whatever's on tap or a lunch.

"I simply remember my favorite things," one candidate quoted when asked about their approach to difficult times.

Bobby Charles, 65, represents the quiet charm of central Maine. He lives in a simple home on Androscoggin Lake in Leeds, not far from where he grew up in Wayne. His ideal escape? The Moosehead Lake region. When he does indulge, it's a tall Guinness, and his bookshelf features Alfred Lansing's "Endurance," the tale of Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic survival.

"The World War II generation I grew up around" shaped his sense of heroism, Charles said, along with his mother "whose quiet strength and character shaped who I am."

David Jones, 70, splits his time between Bryant Pond in summer and Wiscasset in winter. The candidate, who drives extensively throughout Maine, admits buying "a nice vehicle" as his greatest extravagance. His prized possession isn't a possession at all—it's his guitar.

"Anyone who has stood up in the past, or is willing to stand up today, for our country, our rights and our freedom," Jones said when asked about heroes.

Garrett Mason, the youngest candidate at 40, prefers simpler pleasures. His favorite place isn't some grand location—it's his back porch. He recently read David Grann's "The Wager" and favors red ales. His hero? John Adams.

For Owen McCarthy, 38, the north country calls. He points to the shadow of Mt. Katahdin near Patten and the northern entrance to Baxter State Park as his home, the place that grounds him most. Notably, he doesn't drink alcohol—his bar order is lemonade, a habit from college days when he frequently served as designated driver. His treasured possession is his family.

"My parents taught me work ethic, humility, sacrifice and how to keep going when things are hard," McCarthy said.

Ben Midgley, 56, brings a fitness background to the race. His indulgence is surprisingly modest: weekend mornings with coffee and about a dozen publications. At the bar, he'll order a Ketel martini, shaken with two olives. He wishes he could speak every language in the world.

"I gravitate towards anyone who truly puts others above themselves," Midgley said of his heroes.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, 51, finds peace on Monhegan Island. She orders mocktails and keeps both Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower" and her pocket Constitution close. Her overused phrase? "I feel strongly," though she notes she usually does. An heirloom blanket knit by her Scottish great-grandmother is her most treasured possession.

Former Senate President Troy Jackson, 57, ventures to Débouille Public Lands in Aroostook County for inspiration. His heroes span eras and ideologies: Frances Perkins, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Michael Jordan. His greatest extravagances include a 2018 used Dodge Caravan, good coffee, and his signature yellow safety sunglasses. He counts his cat, Grayson, as family.

Angus King III, 55, heads to the Kennebago River with a fly rod when seeking solitude. He shares Bobby Charles's affinity for "Endurance" and also counts Ernest Hemingway among literary favorites. His heroes include his grandfather (former Governor Angus King), Theodore Roosevelt for being "the man in the arena," and Marcus Aurelius for stoic wisdom. His constant companion is Snowy the dog.

"Nurses, teachers, EMTs, public health workers and people who keep food banks running" constitute the hero roster of Dr. Nirav Shah, 48. The candidate favors Reid State Park despite the greenhead flies, orders Maine lagers or Diet Cokes, and recently bought a new quarter-zip sweater his wife and campaign team convinced him he needed. His overused phrases include "The good news is…" and "At the end of the day…"

Hannah Pingree, 49, climbs to the top of Ames Knob on North Haven for her favorite view. Her weekends at home with family and dog—no campaign events—constitute her greatest indulgence. She recently read Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead" and wishes for WNBA basketball skills. Her hero is her mother, "because she has a lot of guts, she fights every day to make the world a better place."

Republican candidate Robert Wessels did not respond to the questionnaire by press time.

The candidates will square off in the 2026 election, where Mainers will choose a new governor to lead the state into the next decade.