Jonathan Bush, a healthcare entrepreneur and cousin of former President George W. Bush, has launched an exploratory committee and a nonprofit to signal interest in the 2026 Maine gubernatorial race.
According to a Fox News report, Bush is criticizing Maine's state government for fostering "learned helplessness" instead of promoting economic growth and independence. He outlined his vision in a blueprint from his nonprofit Maine for Keeps, aiming to revive what he calls the "Maine Dream" by addressing declines in education and housing.
Bush's moves come after a fundraiser in Kennebunkport attended by former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, as reported by the Bangor Daily News. These actions follow George P. Bush's 2022 defeat in Texas, which was viewed as a setback for the family's political influence.
Bush emphasizes his deep ties to Maine, noting that his family has been there since the 1890s and his wife Fay's family since the 1700s. He describes Maine as "the best place on earth to live and raise a family" in his nonprofit's materials.
He warns that the state has slipped into a pattern where government fails to encourage opportunity, leading to issues like a housing crisis from restrictive development rules that limit new construction to high-end homes. Bush also points out that Maine's schools have fallen from top national rankings to among the lowest.
As a 55-year-old founder of Athenahealth, which grew into a major medical software firm before his 2018 departure amid investor disputes, Bush later started Zus Health focused on health data sharing. He positions himself as a moderate Republican in a state known for its independent voters and history of electing centrists like Sen. Susan Collins.
Bush cites an "unwritten Bush family rule" that one must "earn both sides of a paycheck before you tell other people what to do with their tax dollars." This philosophy, he says, drove him to build businesses in Maine despite its challenging environment for entrepreneurs.
In an interview with journalist Polina Pompliano, Bush explained that he moved to Maine and has worked to support his community. He added that people should "lean in" to solve problems rather than just complain, noting "the TV doesn’t care."
His potential run tests the Bush name's appeal in the Trump era, where a Jan. 21 Gallup poll shows Trump with 93% favorability among Republicans compared to 63% for George W. Bush. Maine's lean toward Democrats, with ratings like "Likely Democratic" from Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball, adds hurdles despite the state's independent streak.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is term-limited after her 2022 re-election by double digits over former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, opening the 2026 seat. Prominent Democrats like Angus King III, Hannah Pingree, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Senate President Troy Jackson are exploring bids.
Republicans face a divided field between Trump-aligned populists and moderates, with analysts noting fragmentation. Bush has not yet registered among the 18 official candidates with Maine’s Ethics Commission, though he is expected to decide soon.
While Maine for Keeps releases policy papers and podcasts, Bush's exploratory committee promotes his ideas. A run would position him as a potential revival for the Bush dynasty, especially after recent family setbacks.
Jonathan Bush, cousin of former President George W. Bush and a successful healthcare founder, is exploring a 2026 gubernatorial bid in Maine to combat what he sees as government-induced stagnation and restore economic vitality. His efforts stem from family traditions and personal business experience in the state, where he aims to address education declines and housing shortages driven by overregulation.
Bush plans to decide on a formal candidacy in the coming months, with his nonprofit Maine for Keeps continuing to push policy discussions through papers and episodes. This potential campaign emerges in Kennebunkport and broader Maine, testing the Bush family's political weight against strong Democratic leanings and Republican divisions.
The bid could highlight Maine's independent voter base that has supported moderates, potentially overcoming Trump's high GOP favorability edge over George W. Bush in polls. If pursued, it may signal a broader comeback for the dynasty following George P. Bush's 2022 loss in Texas.
