Reflecting the independent streak of Maine voters, the results of a new WBUR poll show former Governor Angus King with a big lead over both the Republican and Democratic candidates to replace retiring Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.
The poll showed that 50 percent of likely Maine voters support King, who is running as an independent. Republican Secretary of State Charlie Summers comes in a distant second at 23 percent, while Democratic state Sen. Cynthia Dill is in third at 9 percent. Seventeen percent are undecided.
King, who served as Governor from 1995 to 2003, benefits from strong name recognition as well as a 60 percent favorability rating.
While King has not indicated which party he'd caucus with if elected to the Senate, he has endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election.
The poll also showed Obama with a strong lead in the state, with 48 percent of likely Maine voters supporting Obama, while 34 percent support Republican candidate Mitt Romney.
Maine voters have voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in each of the last five elections, but the state is currently represented by two Republican Senators, Snowe and Susan Collins.
According to the poll, 55 percent of Maine voters support a law legalizing same-sex marriage, while 36 percent are opposed. A referendum on same-sex marriage will be on the ballot in November.
The survey of 506 likely Maine voters was conducted June 13th and 14th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Political News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.