Entrepreneur and First-Time Candidate Vows to Tackle Affordability Crisis and Restore Opportunity for Working Mainers
Owen McCarthy, a successful entrepreneur and political outsider, today officially announced his candidacy for governor of Maine. A native of Patten who grew up in a trailer as the son of a third-generation logger and a second-generation lunch lady, McCarthy pledged to bring bold, commonsense leadership to Augusta, focused on revitalizing the economy, restoring affordability, and fixing broken government systems that are leaving working families behind.
In announcing his campaign, McCarthy also released a video titled “My People.”
The video explores Owen’s rise from his childhood in Patten to first in his family to attend college to successful entrepreneur. In the video, McCarthy advocates for greater economic opportunity and affordability in Maine by featuring working-class residents who describe their struggles witxh the state’s cost of living.
“I’m running for governor because the people I grew up with – the forgotten workers, the squeezed middle class, and overlooked rural towns – deserve a government that fights for them,” said McCarthy. “Maine has become unaffordable for too many working families. Our property taxes are among the highest in the nation, yet our schools are failing our kids. Homeownership has gone from the American Dream to just a dream. And small businesses are being crushed under high energy costs and red tape.”
McCarthy is co-founder of MedRhythms, a healthcare technology company that developed an FDA-designated breakthrough therapy to help patients recover mobility. He built the company from the ground up and moved it from Boston to Maine, creating high-paying jobs and proving that world-class innovation can thrive in the state.
A graduate of the University of Maine and Harvard Business School, McCarthy also served as a trustee for the University of Maine System and is active in efforts to boost opportunity in rural communities.
As governor, McCarthy pledged to:
- Build an integrated economic strategy that bets on competitive advantages, most of all our people;
- Balance the budget and rein in runaway spending;
- Deliver tax relief to struggling families and small businesses;
- Legalize housing by cutting red tape to make homes more affordable;
- Crack down on illegal immigration by cooperating with federal law enforcement, reducing the drain on vital resources meant for Mainers;
- Demand excellence in K-12 education and align schools with the future of work;
- Modernize government services and bring accountability back to Augusta.
“I’m not a politician. I’m an engineer, entrepreneur, husband, and father. I believe Maine can lead again if we get back to basics: rewarding work, respecting taxpayers, and making opportunity real in every zip code,” McCarthy said.
Owen McCarthy lives in Gorham with his wife, Holly, and their two sons. His campaign will emphasize new energy, real-world experience, and a commitment to making Maine a place where hard work can meet opportunity once again.
To learn more about Owen McCarthy, visit his website at www.OwenForMaine.com.
