FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2026
Contact: Lauryn Fanguen, lfanguen@mainedems.org, 240-354-2571
Garrett Mason "Grateful” for Richard Uihlein’s “Intrusion” and Support
Mason also admits to openly vying for Trump’s endorsement
Augusta, Maine — In a sit-down interview with NEWS CENTER Maine’s Phil Hirschkorn, Republican gubernatorial candidate Garrett Mason openly embraced the support of his MAGA, anti-choice billionaire backer Illinois-based Richard Uihlein — praising the more than $1.7 million Uihlein has already poured into the race on Mason’s behalf.
When asked about Uihlein’s spending and involvement in the race, Mason said he was “grateful” for the billionaire’s “intrusion” into Maine’s gubernatorial primary.
Mason: “I think that any conservative should be happy that there's a large conservative activist who sees promise in Maine and sees that there is, there's a foothold here, that we can make life better for people. And so I, you know, I'm, I'm grateful for the support, and as far as you know, his intrusion into the race.”
Mason dismissed criticism of the Uihlein’s massive outside spending as partisan attacks — despite the fact that fellow Republican candidate Bobby Charles has also publicly criticized Mason for relying on this money.
Mason again doubled down on celebrating the anti-choice extremist-funded PAC spend on the debate stage when another Republican candidate, David Jones, also called him out.
Maine Democratic Party executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson released the following statement:
“Garrett Mason said the quiet part out loud. He’s grateful that a MAGA anti-choice Illinois-based billionaire is spending millions to buy him the Republican nomination for governor. Mason earned Uihlein’s support through his long-standing anti-choice record. His deeply unpopular and dangerous views on abortion landed him a billionaire’s backing and further proves why he’s wrong for Maine.”
During the interview, Mason also made it clear that he is actively competing for Donald Trump’s endorsement in the Republican primary.
Hirschkorn: “Among the Republicans, it seems there's almost like a mini primary within the primary to get President Trump's endorsement. Are you gunning for that?”
Mason: “Absolutely. I mean, I think we all are. I mean, listen, politics is politics, right? And President Trump has a 99.8% success rate when he endorses a candidate, so I think ignoring that is probably to somebody's own detriment.”
Mason’s comments highlight the dynamic shaping the Republican primary: candidates racing to secure the backing of Donald Trump rather than focusing on the issues Maine families are facing.
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