What I'm hearing

🐘 He's (potentially) running. You probably recognize his name.

◉ If you thought Walker's Point in Kennebunkport is and always will be the Bush family's lone connection to Maine, then you may want to watch the 2026 gubernatorial race. 

◉ Jonathan Bush, the nephew of the late President George H.W. Bush and cousin of ex-President George W. Bush, inched closer Monday to throwing his hat in the contest to succeed Gov. Janet Mills by forming an exploratory committee. Other candidates already in the race had also "explored" the idea of running before officially running, as we reminded you yesterday.

◉ So there's a decent chance the 56-year-old Bush eventually joins them. (As an aside, I recognize we haven't written "exploratory" stories for every person before writing about them joining the field, such as Owen McCarthy. Feel free to send complaints our way.)

◉ Bush didn't share any on-the-ground plans with me Monday, but he will air another "Maine for Keeps" podcast episode Wednesday featuring former state Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham.

◉ After doing some exploring, Bush could decide it's not yet worth entering the Republican primary field. In any case, money is not the big issue for the health tech entrepreneur who bought Eliot Cutler's oceanfront home in Cape Elizabeth for $7.5 million in 2021.

◉ Rather, it is more interesting to see how a Bush family member running for governor would fit into the current state of Maine politics and a GOP controlled by President Donald Trump, who isn't the biggest fan of the Bush clan. When we first hinted last year at Bush's growing activity in Maine politics, Bush said in an interview that Trump was “personally troubled,” espousing a goal of supporting “non-kook members of both parties.”

◉ He had also credited Mills and her moderate stances on certain issues for keeping "the lunatic fringe" of her party at bay, though Monday's statement from Bush said "the greatest state in the nation" is "being let down by Janet Mills and the Augusta politicians."

◉ While Democrats have controlled the Legislature since 2018, notice he left out a party qualifier before "Augusta politicians." It feels like Bush is going to fall somewhere in the middle of the current GOP field ideologically, and it's safe to say his family name may turn off Maine's Trump supporters.

◉ And a quick update related to Republicans that Bush would potentially compete against: McCarthy, the Patten native and medical device company founder, said he has raised $200,357 ahead of Tuesday's first filing deadline, while Falmouth real estate leader David Jones raised $149,330. Others will have more updates down the line, with state Sen. Jim Libby - a Clean Election Act candidate - reporting about $5,000 in contributions so far.

◉ I'll have more on fundraising totals in a Wednesday story.

Reading list

🏠 Maine is ending a transitional housing program for asylum seekers, citing declined arrivals and budget constraints.

What they're saying: “The state decided to conclude the program in September 2025. Thus, no new asylum seekers have moved in since January 2025 and emphasis has been on helping remaining families secure rental housing,” Catholic Charities said in a statement.

💊 Mills signed a proposal to open a drug treatment court in Aroostook County.

🎓 The UMaine System is seeking to offer shorter bachelor's degree programs.

💃 From the Press Herald: Maine has long been a destination for international artists, but Trump is now affecting that.

🏀 Coopdate: The Mavericks are resting Cooper Flagg for the remainder of the NBA Summer League after just two games for Mr. Newport.

🧑‍⚕️ A Bangor mental health clinic is closing in August when its owner retires.

☀️ Affordable solar-powered homes in Maine are on the way thanks to this new partnership.

On the move