On August 26, 2026, the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition hosted Maine Voters Have Spoken: Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Housing & Polling Data Reveal. Moderated by Chris Costa of NEWS CENTER Maine, the timely, solutions-focused discussions brought together gubernatorial candidates Hannah Pingree and Rick Bennett to address housing access, affordability, and the economic future of the state. Note: All candidates were invited to participate.
The forum opened with the first public release of new statewide polling commissioned by MAHC. The data offered fresh insight into how Maine voters view the housing crisis, the specific policy solutions they support, and what they expect from Maine’s next Governor and Legislature. Read the YouGov Poll Results Memo and the MAHC Summary Slides of YouGov Poll to learn more about Mainers’ priorities, their views toward the current state of the housing market, and their support for new policies that would expand housing availability and affordability in the state.
Following the polling presentation, candidates shared their respective visions for expanding housing supply, improving affordability, supporting communities, and ensuring that Maine families, workers, older adults, and future generations have access to safe, affordable homes. View their respective housing platforms here:
- Rick Bennett (Independent Nominee)
- Hannah Pingree (Democratic Nominee)
- Bobby Charles (Republican Nominee)
The event highlighted the critical role the next administration will play in collaborating with local municipalities, the Legislature, non-profits, and the private sector to expand housing opportunities statewide. Thank you to everyone who joined us to ground this vital conversation in voter data and keep housing at the forefront of Maine’s state elections.
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