1990 Maine gubernatorial election

The 1990 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1990 to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Republican governor John McKernan won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee, former governor Joseph E. Brennan in a tight contest. Independent Andrew Adam took in 9.3% of the vote. This was the last election until 2010 that Maine elected a Republican governor. This was also the last Maine gubernatorial election until 2022 in which the winner was of the same party as the incumbent president. This is also the last Maine gubernatorial election that an incumbent governor won with a smaller margin of victory in that person's re-election bid.

1990 Maine gubernatorial election

← 1986 November 6, 1990 1994 →
 
Nominee John McKernan Joseph Brennan Andrew Adam
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Popular vote 243,766 230,038 48,377
Percentage 46.7% 44.1% 9.3%

County results

McKernan:      40–50%      50–60%

Brennan:      40–50%

Governor before election

John McKernan
Republican

Elected Governor

John McKernan
Republican

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1990 Maine gubernatorial election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John R. McKernan (incumbent) 243,766 46.68%
Democratic Joseph E. Brennan 230,038 44.05%
Independent Andrew Adam 48,377 9.27%
Plurality 13,728 2.63%
Turnout 522,181
Republican hold Swing