Pingree Opens Transition Site for Administration Hires
Maine's Democratic governor-elect is inviting applications for positions in her incoming administration through a confidential online portal.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Hannah Pingree launched a transition website, hannahpingreetransition.com, to accept applications for her administration after winning the Maine governorship with 55% of the vote. Applicants submit a resume, a cover letter, and an indicated office or department of interest, and her team reviews applications on a rolling basis.
Why it matters
Pingree will succeed Gov. Janet Mills, who is termed out of office, and her staffing decisions will shape the state's executive branch when she takes office. Maine law requires the governor-elect to establish transition committees to assemble the Cabinet and staff and to plan the inauguration.
Pingree won 55% of the vote against Republican Bobby Charles at 36.9% and independent Rick Bennett at 8%, with 92% of votes counted as of Wednesday afternoon. Maine provides $5,000 for the inauguration and transition process, and no application deadline has been stated.
The players
Hannah Pingree
Democratic governor-elect of Maine, a longtime state official who will succeed Janet Mills as governor.
Janet Mills
Democratic governor of Maine who is termed out of office and is succeeded by Pingree.
Bobby Charles
Republican candidate who received 36.9% of the gubernatorial vote in the election.
The details
Applications are confidential and require a resume and a cover letter along with an indicated office or department of interest. Pingree's team will review submissions on a rolling basis this month, and she takes office January 6 in Augusta.
Timeline
Tuesday: Election in which Pingree won the governorship.
Wednesday: Pingree launched the transition website and held a news conference at Fort Allen Park in Portland.
This month: Pingree's team reviews applications on a rolling basis.
January 6: Pingree's inauguration in Augusta.
Political Context
Pingree's succession of Mills is the first time since 1850 that a two-term Democratic governor has passed the office to another Democrat. Maine Republican governors last served more than two consecutive terms in 1952, which places the Democratic continuity in historical perspective.
Maine residents will see the composition of the state's executive branch shaped by the appointments Pingree makes before taking office. Applicants interested in state government roles can submit a resume and cover letter through the transition website.
The takeaway
Residents interested in serving in state government can apply through the transition site, which accepts applications on a rolling basis without a stated deadline. Pingree's staffing choices this month will set the early direction of her administration.
What happens next
Pingree takes office January 6 in Augusta, and her transition team will continue reviewing administration applications this month.
Further reading
Explore more on Maine elections as Pingree prepares to take office.
More information
Apply for positions through the governor-elect transition application website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Press Herald.
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