Jim Libby has withdrawn from the 2026 gubernatorial race due to failing to meet the Clean Elections program’s signature requirements. Libby needed 3200 valid signatures but only received around 2800 after the Ethics Commission found issues with duplications and errors, including potential fraud. This issue is not uncommon in Maine, as it happened to Democratic candidate John Richardson in 2010. Libby’s campaign had limited resources and trusted the wrong people for signature collection, ultimately falling short of the necessary signatures.