“The two-party system has gotten to a place where it wants us just blaming each other, hating on each other, fearing each other, and then lurching to the next election and really not getting anything done, and Maine people deserve a lot better,” Bennett said in a new profile interview with NEWS CENTER Maine. “The other candidates have an R on their jersey or a D on their jersey. I’m going to have ‘Maine’ on my jersey. I’m going to look after the people of Maine -- as simple as that.”

Phil Hirschkorn interviews the Maine independent candidate for Governor on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.

RICK BENNETT: AN INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN FOR MAINE GOVERNOR The episode then turns to Rick Bennett, a Forward-endorsed independent candidate for governor of Maine and former President of the Maine Senate. Bennett brings 18 years of experience in the Maine Legislature, along with experience in the private sector, and explains why he decided to leave the Republican Party and run as an independent. For Bennett, the decision is rooted in a belief that party politics have become an obstacle to solving practical problems. He describes Maine as a state with a strong tradition of independence, where voters have repeatedly shown a willingness to choose candidates based on the individual rather than the party label. Bennett says that experience has made his transition to independent politics feel less like a departure from his values and more like a return to the approach he has always taken. Bennett also shares what he is hearing from voters across Maine. Housing affordability, childcare, workforce shortages, energy costs, and education are among the issues he says matter most in everyday life. He argues that these concerns often receive less attention than national political fights, even though they directly affect whether families can afford to live, work, and build their lives in their communities.

BANGOR -- Campaign trail town halls typically might be held in conference rooms or civic centers, but Independent gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett is met folks at the dinner table Tuesday night.

Bennett held an event at Paddy Murphy's for folks to discuss their concerns regarding the upcoming election.

He fielded questions regarding affordability, climate change, healthcare and other topics that are on Mainers' minds.

"The reason I come out is I want to listen to people, I want to hear their stories, I want to hear what they want out of the next Governor. We do have this historic moment where it's been eight years since we've had a new Governor and this is an opportunity, it's an inflection point. I want to hear what's on people's minds and I want them to be comfortable talking with me," said Bennett. 

This week Maine Audubon held its first ever Wildlife Champion Awards event at Gilsland Farm. We gathered in the Ann and Jim Hancock Native Plants Education Center to honor six state legislators who helped pass important legislation related to wildlife and habitat during the 132nd Maine Legislature, which convened in 2025 and 2026.

The independent candidate can be counted on to listen to all sides of an issue and make decisions after considering best evidence and practices, not partisan politics.

ORONO -- Usually the campaign trail is a metaphor, but Independent gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett is lacing up his sneakers and walking around Maine.

It's a part of his campaign tour, where he started in Aroostook County and has been trekking for miles across different locations to meet up with local Mainers.

Along the way Bennett is visiting small businesses and chatting with residents.

We caught up with him at the Orono Farmers Market, which he visited after walking there from Indian Island.

Maine's Department of Transportation commissioner said he is on a tour across the state to educate state lawmakers about the importance of funding bridge and highway repair and maintenance. The department revealed recently that its work plan budget is short by hundreds of millions of dollars.

Rick Bennett, a longtime lawmaker and former Maine Republican Party chairman, has qualified for the November ballot as an independent.

PORTLAND, Maine — Having released four of his five promised plans for governing, independent Rick Bennett detailed his vision for how to make childcare more affordable for Mainers on Friday.

AUGUSTA — Independent gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett has officially secured a place on Maine's November ballot, marking a significant milestone in what is shaping up to be one of the state's most closely watched races.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett submitted more than 5,000 signatures to the Maine Secretary of State’s Office Wednesday in his bid to appear on the November ballot alongside Republican and Democratic party nominees. 

Phil Hirschkorn hosts Democrat Betsy Sweet and Republican Matt Pouliot to discuss the latest in local and national politics.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett says his new plan would help lower energy and living costs in Maine.

SEARSMONT — State senator and independent candidate for governor Rick Bennett unveiled a four-point plan Thursday for addressing one of Maine’s most pressing problems — high energy prices.

Halting property taxes, deterring migrants and dedicating $100 million to fund construction are among the ideas Maine’s gubernatorial candidates have to improve the state’s housing market.