Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King endorsed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree at Bowdoin College on Sunday. 

Their hourlong conversation, attended by 300 people in a standing-room only auditorium, also covered the stakes of Maine’s gubernatorial election in light of the cuts to health care, food security and affordability as a result of federal policies, as well as the polarization of both parties and how the next governor needs to bridge that gap.

 “We’re going to have some challenges, and that’s one of the reasons I’m supporting you, because I think you’re the person to confront them,” King told Pingree as the crowd cheered.

Both King and Pingree represent well-known political dynasties in Maine. King is part of the state’s congressional delegation along with Pingree’s mother, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree who is seeking re-election for her 10th term this year. King’s son ran against Hannah Pingree this year in the gubernatorial primary. 

The two have known each other for years, with King remembering a note he sent the Democratic nominee more than a decade ago after she served as Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives saying she had his support if she ever ran for governor.

“I’d have to say this year she was my second favorite,” he said. 

“But I have such respect for Hannah. She has a rare combination of competence, toughness, intellect, and caring.”

King’s endorsement comes just a few days after Pingree’s campaign highlighted support for the Democratic nominee from former Republicans and independents who disagree with the current administration. While her policy positions are generally more progressive than those of Gov. Janet Mills, Pingree has emphasized her experience working with Republicans, often spotlighting her experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010.

“I’ve had some very positive experiences in the Legislature working across the aisle to pass bipartisan bills … passing bipartisan budgets, but that work has become more challenging in this time,” she said.

“This president and this political climate has made bipartisanship much much more difficult.”

King agreed, saying “it’s certainly much harder than it once was.” Some of his Congressional colleagues he relied on for bipartisan support are no longer there, he said, and both parties are choosing candidates who are increasingly polarized. 

“You can now lose your primary, not because of your position on abortion or immigration or trade, but because you’re viewed as not sufficiently hostile to the other side,” he said. “And I have seen with my own eyes the loss of trust and willingness to just talk.”

“I think somehow we have to get back to the idea that we can have opponents who aren’t enemies,” he added.

Maine’s election laws allow unenrolled voters to choose what party’s primaries to vote in. Based on absentee voting data, unenrolled voters chose to vote in the Democratic primary roughly 3-to-1 compared with the Republican primary.

Pingree highlighted that statistic, saying “I think that level of engagement is good for our elections.”

She will face Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett in the Nov. 3 election.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE