Bobby Charles
Republican Candidate Governor of Maine
As part of our voter information series, CCL Executive Director Nick Adolphsen sat down with Bobby Charles, Republican candidate for Governor, to discuss some of the most foundational issues facing our state. Thanks for joining us, Bobby Charles.
*This interview is not an endorsement, and Bobby Charles’ views do not necessarily reflect those of the League.
MEET Bobby Charles
Survey Responses
The Christian Civic League of Maine sent a 10 question survey to all gubernatorial candidates participating in contested primaries. We received responses from all but one Republican candidate and received no responses from Democratic candidates.
Read Bobby Charles’ Survey Responses below.
Q’s Regarding Abortion
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Response: Yes. Maine’s current law is among the most extreme in the nation, allowing abortion up to the moment of birth for any reason. I believe in a balanced approach that respects the sanctity of life. If the legislature were to pass a bill repealing this “any reason” late-term provision and restoring reasonable gestational limits, I would support and sign that legislation to bring Maine back into the mainstream.
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Response: No. For decades, there was a broad consensus between both pro-life and prochoice advocates that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions. This is not a radical position; in fact, recent polling shows that approximately 69% of Americans oppose the use of tax dollars for abortion. My administration will respect the conscience of all Maine taxpayers by ending public funding for these procedures..
Q’s Regarding Transgender Policy
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Response: Yes. Parental rights are the bedrock of a free society. A parent’s right to guide the upbringing and medical care of their child is fundamental. While our courts have existing safeguards to protect children in rare cases where a parent is not acting in the child’s best interest, due process must always be followed. We must ensure that parents are partners— not bystanders—in their children’s healthcare..
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Response: Yes. Schools should never keep secrets from parents, especially regarding a child’s mental and social well-being. Transparency is essential for a healthy relationship between families and educators. If a child is struggling with their identity or seeking to transition socially, parents must be notified so they can provide the necessary support and guidance at home.
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Response: Yes. We must take a cautious, science-based approach to the health of our children. Progressive nations like Sweden and Finland have already moved to restrict these procedures for minors after finding that the “gender-affirming” model did not adequately address underlying issues and, in some cases, saw rising distress among youth. We should prioritize psychotherapy and traditional mental health support over irreversible medical interventions for minors.
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Response: Yes. We have worked too hard for decades to achieve equity in women’s sports through Title IX to go backward now. Allowing biological males to compete against women creates unfair physical advantages and undermines the spirit of female athletics. This is a matter of fairness and common sense; polling shows that nearly 69% of U.S. adults believe athletes should only play on teams that match their birth sex.
Q’s Regarding Religious Freedom, Marijuana, IGaming and Medicaid
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Response: Yes. The First Amendment is not a suggestion. The government didn’t have to trample on deeply held religious convictions by closing churches while allowing other businesses to remain open. While Maine’s courts have occasionally allowed these mandates to stand, I believe the state must do more to protect religious liberty and ensure that people of faith are never forced to choose between their conscience and their livelihood.
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Response: Yes. Maine is currently facing a devastating addiction epidemic. While recreational marijuana is legal, we must ask if our communities are truly healthier or safer because of it. My administration will focus on rigorous enforcement of existing laws to prevent underage use and black-market expansion. However, we will prioritize our limited law enforcement resources on the greatest threats to our citizens: the fentanyl and opioid crisis. .
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Response: Yes. We should not fund the paving of our roads, the repair of our bridges, or the building of our schools on what amounts to a progressive tax on our most vulnerable citizens. Rapidly expanding smartphone-based gambling brings the casino into every living room in Maine, and we must be wary of the long-term social costs this expansion places on Maine families.
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Response: Yes. Requiring work or volunteerism for able-bodied adults is not a lack of compassion; it is a way to restore dignity and self-sufficiency. By ensuring that those who are healthy and capable contribute to our community, we can better focus our precious resources on the elderly, the disabled, and those who truly cannot care for themselves.
