Maine ballot

On October 5, 2026, Maine Morning Star reported that Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles' campaign acknowledged it accepted contributions that exceeded Maine's $2,075 limit and is refunding them, according to campaign manager Dale Crafts Jr. The Maine Democratic Party had filed a complaint with the Maine Ethics Commission alleging 46 over-limit contributions totaling more than $25,000 (WGME reported more than $25,600); the party's complaint also asks the commission to review the campaign's entire finance history. Maine Morning Star's own review of campaign finance records found 39 over-limit contributions. Crafts said the errors were likely due to couples contributing on one check or donors not realizing fees were included: "It's as simple as that, some people donated too much, and it should have been dealt with before the filing, essentially." He called the complaint politically motivated; the campaign told WGME the money is being returned, adding that this is "what accountability looks like." Ethics Commission executive director Jonathan Wayne said the commission asked the campaign to use staff-compiled information to review whether it accepted over-limit contributions and to return any excess amounts, and that the campaign agreed; staff expect a written response by October 16, and the commission is to consider any findings or penalties at its October 26 meeting. Wayne said there has been no determination of wrongdoing yet.