The field of potential candidates for governor includes at least 22 people whose experience ranges from a Bath Iron Works electrician to four sitting members of the Senate.
With more than a year left until the November 2010 election, many candidates said that they are not prepared to make formal commitments, but vowed to do so by summer’s end.
“Anybody who’s going to do this needs to make a decision by the end of the summer,” said Sen. William Diamond (D-Windham) who is considering a run. He said this is one of the most critical gubernatorial races this state has faced. “We’ve got some tremendous financial obstacles,” he said.
Those obstacles include an ever-widening revenue deficit that has resulted in deep spending cuts across state government, and a 2010-11 budget plan that’s $500 million less than the previous biennial budget.
Whoever is elected governor faces the daunting task of crafting another two-year budget proposal during his or her first days in office. That challenge is a large part of what’s attracted so many candidates.
“Every challenge is an opportunity,” said Alex Hammer of Bangor, a business owner who intends to run as an independent. “If we meet our challenges … we could do as well as the rest of the country, or we could improve. We could be a better leader than a follower,” he said.
Many of the candidates voiced similar optimism and a readiness to seek solutions.
“We’re living day to day in Maine financially,” said Eliot Cutler, a Portland-based attorney contemplating a run as either an independent or a Democrat. “The longer that continues, the further and further behind the 8-ball we get. It compromises opportunities for people. It compromises innovation. It compromises everybody’s future,” he said.
Lynne Williams, an attorney from Bar Harbor, who is running on the Green Independent ticket, is one of the 11 candidates who filed formal papers with the Maine Ethics Commission to run for governor. She said she entered the race early to increase her name recognition, particularly in the southern part of the state.
“The reason I’m starting so early is that I don’t have the name recognition that Steven Rowe has,” she said.
“In order for me to prevail I would have to do two things: get a good share of the voters in the south and really energize the rural communities,” she said.
Rowe, a Democrat, who made a formal announcement in early June, said his campaign is ramping up.
“We filed one year out because we knew there was a lot of work to do,” said Rowe.
Here is a list of people who are running for governor or who say they are in the process of deciding.
Unenrolled/Independent candidates
Samme Bailey of Gorham has filed papers with the Ethics Commission as an Independent candidate. Bailey said this week that he’s in the process of developing his platform.
Eliot Cutler, a Portland-based attorney from Cape Elizabeth, is considering a run as either a Democrat or an Independent. “I’m still thinking about it,” he said.
Augustus J. Edgerton of Bangor, a welder, has filed papers to run as an Independent. “I’m just a simple guy,” said Edgerton, who is interested in bringing more energy resources to Maine. “I’m one of the people for the people.”
Alex Hammer of Bangor, a small business owner, has filed papers to run as an Independent. Hammer has written a book, which is posted on his campaign website that outlines his vision for Maine. “I’m willing to work with anyone in Maine who has ideas for improving the state,” he said.
John Whitcomb of Sidney, an electrician working at Bath Iron Works, has filed papers to run as an independent. “The people of Maine want someone who is of the people,” he said. “They want someone who’s going to do what’s right.”
Green Independents
Lynne Williams, an attorney from Bar Harbor, has filed papers to run as a Green Independent candidate. She said she will make a formal announcement about her candidacy on July 14 in Portland and Bangor. “I am in the race,” she said. “I represent a very independent perspective from corporate government and state government.”
Patrick Scott Quinlan of Gorham has also filed papers to run on the Green Independent ticket. Quinlan could not be reached for comment.
Republicans
Matthew Jacobson of Cumberland, the president of Maine & Co., a firm that helps businesses locate here, has filed papers to run as a Republican. The core of Jacobson’s vision is to help Maine compete in the global economy, according to his website.
Bruce L. Poliquin of Georgetown, who has been involved in investing for years, has filed papers to run as a Republican. “These exceptionally tough times call for a decisive leader and a skilled manager with real-world financial experience,” stated Poliquin on his campaign website.
Republican Leslie “Les” Otten of Greenwood, who serves as principal of four Maine businesses, is the former owner of Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry and former Vice Chairman of the Boston Red Sox. He announced Monday in South Portland that he is launching an exploratory committee to determine whether he’ll enter the race. Otten has filed registration papers with the Ethics Commission. “It is time that Maine had a long-term vision,” he said. “This isn’t a campaign against anyone. This is a campaign for the people of Maine.”
Sen. Peter Mills (R-Cornville) an attorney and veteran of the Legislature, is also considering a run for governor. “I’m almost definitely getting in,” he said. “I have to convince the Republicans that they ought to want to win the general election.” Mills ran for governor in 2006 but was defeated in the primary.
Paul LaPage, the mayor of Waterville, said he’s “looking into” joining the race, but his priority right now is lobbying in favor of a citizen initiated “Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” which will be voted on statewide in the November election. “People are approaching me to run,” he said. “I think it’s time the Legislature listens to the constituents.”
Rep. Joshua Tardy (R-Newport) and attorney and House minority leader, is also considering a run. “I’m certainly contemplating a run for the office of governor,” he said. “I haven’t made any strong plans at this point.”
Sen. Kevin Raye (R-Perry) the Senate Minority Leader, falls in the same category as Tardy. “I’m weighing my options for 2010,” he said in an email. “I’ve received a lot of encouragement to run for governor and I am considering it.”
Democrats
G. Steven Rowe of Portland, a former legislator and Maine attorney general, has filed papers with the Ethics Commission and announced his candidacy in early June. “We do expect to win this race,” said Rowe. “People who know me know I work very hard.”
Peter Truman of Old Orchard Beach, a former candidate for the Maine Senate, has filed papers with the Ethics Commission to run as a Democrat. Truman said last week that he remains undecided about whether or not he’ll run for governor. “Maine is going to have to have some real true leadership with a lot of people pulling in the same direction, or we’re going to have problems like we never had before,” he said.
Rosa Scarcelli of Portland, president of a property management company high-level Democratic operative, said she is “thinking very seriously” about a run for governor. “I will be making a final decision in the next month,” she said. “I have strong support, particularly for people in the business community who are looking for someone not in this administration or this cabinet.”
John Richardson, an attorney from Brunswick, is a former legislator and the current commissioner of the Dept. of Economic and Community Development. Asked whether he’s running, Richardson said, “My primary focus is on the economy, and (running for governor) is a consideration.”
Patrick McGowan, a former legislator and current commissioner of the Maine Dept. of Conservation, is also considering a run. “I have no plans right now, but I’m still interested and probably will make a decision shortly,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of big conservation projects I need to finish up first.”
Sen. Dennis Damon (D-Trenton) a former educator and chairman of two legislative committees, said he is considering running for governor because of strong support he has around the state. “Truthfully, the possibility of me pursuing this is shrinking rather than growing, but the season isn’t done,” he said.
Sen. William Diamond (D-Windham), a veteran Legislator who chairs the Appropriations Committee, said he also has people lobbying for him to run. “I haven’t made any decisions and I probably won’t for a while,” he said.
Rep. Brian Bolduc (D-Auburn) is also considering entering the race. “It’s a very serious decision and I want to take a deep breath to think about the future,” he said. “I’ll wait until sometime after Labor Day to make a final decision.”
Rep. Dawn Hill (D-York), an attorney and small business owner, announced in a press release Tuesday that she planned to file papers with the Ethics Commission on Wednesday. “We need a fresh approach and real action,” said Hill. “Maine is a great state but we’re stuck with the same old problems.”
One other person is rumored to be considering a run for governor. That person could not be reached for comment.