September 25, 2026

Bobby Charles’ GOP gubernatorial run is marred by past ties with scandal-hit Dennis Hastert and Mark Foley. His sister’s op-ed endorsing rival Hannah Pingree intensifies the scrutiny, questioning his past defenses of Hastert, who was convicted of child abuse. Charles’ campaign denies knowledge of misconduct, but the controversy could impact his electoral chances, as polls show him trailing Pingree by 11 points.

Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga’s office has seen over a dozen staffers transition to lobbyists, representing finance, insurance, and pharmaceutical sectors, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.