Angus King III, the offspring of the senator from Maine, commences a campaign for the governorship position.
In the heart of Maine, energy executive Angus King III, son of Sen. Angus King Jr., has stepped into the political arena, announcing his intent to run for governor as a Democrat. Aiming to follow in his father's footsteps, who served as Maine's governor from 1995 to 2003, King seeks to replace term-limited Gov. Janet Mills.
Mills, a Maine Democrat, has made headlines recently for her rivalry with President Donald Trump's administration over policies for transgender athletes. In true fighter spirit, King declared, "I'll never rest when it comes to helping the people of Maine." Reiterating Mills' stance, he stated, "You don't have to be a Democrat or an independent or a Republican or be from outer space, you know you shouldn't play politics with kids' school lunches and Social Security."
King, 54, is taking the political leap from the private sector, where he has tackled issues like renewable energy and affordable housing. With the state facing a host of challenges, he decided it was the right time to swap corporate boardrooms for the hustle of politics. "Anytime you're able to get back what a bully took from you, that's a good thing. I'm proud of the governor for doing that," he said, referring to Mills' triumph over federal funding disputes with the Trump administration.
King will face competitors in the Democratic primary, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. On the Republican side, Bobby Charles, a former federal official with experience in the State Department and House of Representatives, is one of the top candidates. With Maine traditionally avoiding back-to-back governors from the same party for over half a century, the race promises to be an exciting and closely-fought battle.
Despite his political roots, King III has chosen to enter politics under the banner of the Democratic Party. "I am a Democrat," he said, explaining his decision. However, he stressed his independent spirit, saying, "I obviously have independent blood running through my body, and I think most people in Maine have independent blood running through their bodies."
With his focus on pragmatic leadership, renewable energy, and affordable housing, King III presents himself as an outsider with a mission to build a better Maine. As he embarks on his political journey, he will strive to bridge differences, foster innovation, and bring about lasting change in his home state.
King's political journey under the Democratic Party indicates his focus on issues like renewable energy and affordable housing, aligning with the party's general-news agenda. As he faces competitors in the primary, he emphasizes his desire to address challenges facing Maine, drawing parallels between his stance and Mills' successful fight against federal funding disputes in the capital.
