Overview
- The Republican health tech entrepreneur officially announced Wednesday at athenahealth’s Belfast office, where his brother Billy Bush introduced him.
- He outlined plans to declare an economic growth emergency, seek a $1 billion income‑tax cut, audit state spending, expand natural gas access, ease homebuilding rules, and promote workforce training and deregulation.
- He joins a large 2026 field vying to replace term‑limited Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, with Republicans such as Robert Charles and James Libby and Democrats including Shenna Bellows and Angus King III already running.
- The campaign is leaning on Bush family ties and fundraising, noting an August Kennebunkport event and an internal poll showing 71% of Maine Republicans view the family favorably.
- Scrutiny is focused on his 2018 departure from athenahealth under investor pressure and past reports of misconduct, and at least one GOP rival has criticized his opposition to President Donald Trump.