Wikipedia
2010 Maine gubernatorial election
The 2010 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor John Baldacci was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010. The candidates who appeared on the November ballot were (in alphabetical order by last name): Eliot Cutler (Independent), Paul LePage (Republican), Libby Mitchell (Democrat), Shawn Moody (Independent), and Kevin Scott (Independent).[1]
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County results LePage: 30–40% 40–50% Cutler: 30–40% 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipality Results LePage: 20–30% 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Cutler 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% Mitchell: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Tie: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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With 94% of precincts reporting on the day after the election, the Bangor Daily News declared LePage the winner, carrying 38.1% of the votes.[2] Cutler was in second place with 36.7% of the votes (less than 7,500 votes behind LePage), while Mitchell was a distant third with 19%.[2] Moody and Scott had 5% and 1%, respectively.[2] Two days after the election, with 99% of precincts reporting, LePage's lead over Cutler had widened to more than 10,000 votes.[3] This election was the first since 1990 that Republicans won a gubernatorial election in Maine.
Democratic primary
Candidates
On ballot
- Patrick K. McGowan, former State Conservation Commissioner[4][5]
- Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell, President of the Maine Senate and candidate for U. S. Senate in 1984[6]
- Steven Rowe, former Maine Attorney General and former state representative[7][8]
- Rosa Scarcelli, business owner[9][10]
Write-in
- Donna Dion, former Mayor of Biddeford.[11][12] Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures, but continued her campaign in the primary as a write-in candidate.[13]
Withdrawn
- Dawn Hill, State Representative.[14][15] Hill withdrew from the race on January 1, 2010, citing the crowded field of candidates.[16]
- John G. Richardson, former Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and former Speaker of the House.[4][17] Richardson withdrew from the race on April 26 amid allegations that some of his campaign workers had not followed proper procedures for collecting donations to qualify him for Maine Clean Election funding.[18] The primary ballots had already been printed before Richardson withdrew from the race, so Richardson's name appeared on the ballot even though he was no longer a candidate.[19]
- Peter Truman (also known as Peter Throumoulos), former state representative and convicted forger.[20] Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures.
Declined
Polling
| Poll source | Dates administered | Mitchell | Rowe | Scarcelli | McGowan | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan Atlantic SMS Group | May 21–29, 2010 | 13.3% | 11.7% | 7.0% | 6.3% | 61.7% |
Results
Results by county
Mitchell
- 40–50%
- <40%
Rowe
- <40%
McGowan
- <40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell | 42,328 | 34.4 | |
| Democratic | G. Steven Rowe | 27,923 | 22.7 | |
| Democratic | Rosa Scarcelli | 26,444 | 21.5 | |
| Democratic | Patrick K. McGowan | 24,392 | 19.8 | |
| Democratic | John Richardson | 1,604 | 1.3 | |
| Democratic | Write-in | 236 | 0.3 | |
| Total votes | 122,927 | 100 | ||
At 11:32 p.m. EDT, WCSH declared Libby Mitchell the winner of the Democratic primary.[24]
Republican primary
Candidates
On ballot
- Steve Abbott, former chief of staff for Senator Susan Collins[25][26]
- William Beardsley, former president of Husson University[27][28]
- Matt Jacobson, president of Maine & Company, a private business attraction organization; former President of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad[29][30]
- Paul LePage, Mayor of Waterville and general manager of Marden's Surplus & Salvage store chain[31][32][33][34]
- Peter Mills, State Senator and candidate for governor in 2006[35][36][37]
- Les Otten, founder of American Skiing Company and former Boston Red Sox co-owner[38][39]
- Bruce Poliquin, business owner/manager and economist[40][41]
Declined
- Peter Cianchette, United States Ambassador to Costa Rica and 2002 Republican nominee for governor[42]
- Kevin Raye, State Senate Minority Leader[43]
- Josh Tardy, State House Minority Leader[44]
Polling
| Poll source | Dates administered | Otten | LePage | Mills | Abbott | Beardsley | Poliquin | Jacobson | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [45] | May 22-June 2, 2010 | 17.0% | 10.7% | 22.1% | 13.9% | 5.9% | 4.9% | 1.4% | 24.0% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS Group | May 21–29, 2010 | 17.0% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 8.3% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 2.0% | 47.0% |
Results
Results by county
LePage
- 50–60%
- 40–50%
- <40%
Otten
- <40%
Beardsley
- <40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul LePage | 49,126 | 37.4 | |
| Republican | Les Otten | 22,945 | 17.4 | |
| Republican | Peter Mills | 19,271 | 14.7 | |
| Republican | Steve Abbott | 17,209 | 13.1 | |
| Republican | William "Bill" Beardsley | 12,061 | 9.2 | |
| Republican | Bruce Poliquin | 6,471 | 4.9 | |
| Republican | Matt Jacobson | 4,324 | 3.3 | |
| Total votes | 131,407 | 100 | ||
At 11:19 p.m. EDT, WCSH declared Paul LePage the winner of the GOP primary.[46]
Independents
Candidates on the ballot
- Eliot Cutler, attorney, former staff member for U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie, and former adviser to President Jimmy Carter[47][48][49]
- Shawn Moody, business owner[49][50][51]
- Kevin L. Scott, business owner[49][52][53]
Write-in candidates
- John Jenkins, former state senator, former mayor of both Auburn and Lewiston, and a 2002 gubernatorial candidate.[54] Jenkins, who won his most recent mayoral campaign by write-in, declared he would run for Governor of Maine if 5,000 people followed his Facebook fan page[55] within 45 days.
- Beverly Cooper-Pete.[56] Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures,[49] but continued her campaign as a write-in candidate.[57]
Disqualified candidates
- Alex Hammer, business owner and self-published author.[4][58] Did not appear on the ballot due to not meeting the deadline for turning in petition signatures. Hammer attempted to turn in some of the signatures electronically, but the Secretary of State ruled that such methods were not allowed. Hammer filed suit to appear on the ballot in Penobscot County Superior Court on June 28, 2010.[59][60] On September 28, 2010, the judge upheld the Secretary of State's decision.[61]
Withdrawn
- Samme Bailey.[4][62] Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures.[49]
- Augustus Edgerton.[4] Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures.[49]
- Michael Heath, former leader of the Christian Civic League of Maine (now known as the Maine Family Policy Council).[63] Withdrew from the race due to lack of petition signatures.[64]
- John Whitcomb.[4] Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures.[49]
Maine Green Independent Party
The Maine Green Independent Party did not have a gubernatorial candidate on the ballot, as no candidate collected required number of signatures.[65]
Withdrawn
- Lynne Williams, attorney and former state chair of the Maine Green Independent Party.[66][67] On March 15, 2010, Lynne Williams announced her withdrawal from the campaign, citing a lack of clean elections funds and qualifying signatures.[68]
- Patrick Quinlan, political activist, author, and lone legislative aide of Maine Green Independent Party caucus in state House of Representatives for 2004 and 2005; former campaign manager and consultant for Green state representative John Eder[4]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report[69] | Tossup | October 14, 2010 |
| Rothenberg[70] | Tilt R (flip) | October 28, 2010 |
| RealClearPolitics[71] | Likely R (flip) | November 1, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[72] | Lean R (flip) | October 28, 2010 |
| CQ Politics[73] | Lean D | October 28, 2010 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Paul LePage (R) | Libby Mitchell (D) | Eliot Cutler (I) | Shawn Moody (I) | Kevin Scott (I) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 28–30, 2010 | 546 | ± 4.19% | 39% | 24% | 29% | 4% | 1% | 2% | |
| Critical Insights / MaineToday Media | October 27–28, 2010 | 621 | ± 4% | 40% | 21% | 21% | 4% | 1% | 11% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS | October 25–28, 2010 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 38.6% | 21.8% | 30.6% | 2.8% | 1.1% | 7.3% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 26–28, 2010 | 1,812 | ± 2.3% | 40% | 24% | 28% | 4% | 1% | 2% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 26, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 40% | 26% | 26% | - | - | 5% |
| Critical Insights | October 13–17, 2010 | 600 | ± 4% | 32% | 20% | 19% | 5% | 1% | 21% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS | October 11–15, 2010 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 32.9% | 28.0% | 14.0% | 4.6% | 0.4% | 20.2% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 32% | 21% | * | * | 6% |
| Critical Insights / MaineToday Media | October 10–11, 2010 | 605 | ± 4% | 32% | 26% | 11% | 5 | 1 | 26% |
| October 4–7, 2010 | 679 | ± 3.76% | 29.6% | 28.7% | 11.1% | 4.9% | 1.6% | 24.1% | |
| Critical Insights / MaineToday Media | September 27, 2010 | 405 | ± 4.9% | 29% | 30% | 9% | 5% | 0% | 26% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 20, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 45% | 27% | 14% | * | * | 10% |
| Critical Insights / MaineToday Media | September 13, 2010 | 603 | ± 4% | 38% | 25% | 11% | 4% | 1% | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 2–6, 2010 | 1,468 | ± 2.6% | 43% | 29% | 11% | 5% | 1% | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 12, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 30% | 16% | * | * | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 14, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 31% | 15% | * | * | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 10, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 43% | 36% | 7% | * | * | 14% |
* Shawn Moody and Kevin Scott, two Independent candidates who appeared on the ballot, were not offered as choices in the Rasmussen polls.[74]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul LePage | 218,065 | 37.6% | +7.39% | |
| Independent | Eliot Cutler | 208,270 | 35.9% | — | |
| Democratic | Libby Mitchell | 109,387 | 18.8% | -19.31% | |
| Independent | Shawn Moody | 28,756 | 5.0% | — | |
| Independent | Kevin Scott | 5,664 | 1.0% | ||
| Majority | 9,795 | 1.7% | -6.2 | ||
| Turnout | 580,538 | +29,673 | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | ||||
See also
References
- ^ "The day after: Governor's race takes shape". 9 June 2010.
- ^ a b c Miller, Kevin; Wickenheiser, Matt (3 November 2010). . Bangor Daily NEws. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
- ^ . Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kevin Miller. "9 hopefuls for top job in Maine". Bangor Daily News.[permanent dead link]
- ^ . Portland Press Herald. Associated Press. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
Former state Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan formally announced his candidacy today, making him the seventh Democrat seeking his party's nomination in June.
- ^ Cover, Susan (2009-08-11). "Elizabeth Mitchell files for governor's race". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Gagnon, Matthew (8 December 2008). . Pine Tree Politics. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Rowe For Governor (official candidate web site)
- ^ Wickenheiser, Matt (20 July 2009). "Businesswoman launches Blaine House bid". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 12 August 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Rosa Scarcelli, Democratic Candidate for Governor of Maine, 2010 (official candidate web site)
- ^ Williams, Cindy (22 July 2009). "Former Mayor Donna Dion Announced Run For Governor". WCSH. Retrieved 12 August 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
- ^ Hoey, Dennis (21 March 2010). "Dione will run for governor as a write-in candidate". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ O'Bryan, Heather (1 July 2009). "House Member Announces Run For Governor". WCSH. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2009-09-02. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ "Rep. Hill drops out of Maine gov. race" – SeacoastOnline.com
- ^ David Hench (16 November 2009). . Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 8 December 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
- ^ Richardson withdrawing from governor's race Portland Press Herald, April 26, 2010
- ^ Cover, Susan (7 June 2010). "Governor's Race: Independents can vote Tuesday, but they need to know the rules". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
Democrat John Richardson pulled out in April after the ethics commission found problems with his application for Clean Election funds. But it was too late for the ballots, which had already gone to the printers.
- ^ Wickenheiser, Matt (10 September 2009). "Man once jailed for forgery seeks state office". Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
A former state representative who was jailed two years ago for forging signatures on petitions for state Clean Election funds has filed papers to run for governor. Peter Truman of Old Orchard Beach, also known as Peter Throumoulos, plans to run as a Democrat.
- ^ SunJournal.com. "Auburn lawmaker decides against bid for governor". Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ^ Mainepolitics.net. "Allen Discusses Future". Retrieved 2008-12-31.
- ^ a b . Maine SOS. June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Mitchell wins Democratic Primary". WCSH 6. June 8, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ PressHerald.com. "Does Abbott Have his Eye on Governors Job?". Retrieved 2009-02-02.[permanent dead link]
- ^ . Portland Press Herald. 12 January 2009. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ . Portland Press Herald. 12 January 2009. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ Bill Beardsley: Governor For Maine (official candidate web site)
- ^ Mainepolitics.net. "Republican Announces for Governor". Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2009-08-19. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ . Portland Press Herald. 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2009-09-12. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
- ^ . Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
- ^ Mills declares candidacy for governor[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Welcome to the Public Campaign Finance Page for the State of Maine". Mainecampaignfinance.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ^ Peter Mills for Governor of Maine (official candidate web site) 2009-08-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Les Otten for Governor (official candidate web site) 2009-07-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Portland, ME | Race For Governor Already Taking Shape". WCSH6.com. 2010-01-04. Retrieved 2010-08-21.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Bruce Poliquin for Maine Governor (official candidate web site)
- ^ "> Archives > News > Poliquin jumps to early cash lead". The Times Record. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2010-08-21.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Cianchette insists he won't run for governor[permanent dead link]
- ^ . Pine Tree Politics. 2009-11-10. Archived from the original on 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ^ "Josh Tardy". Abbott for Governor. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ^ Note: Poll paid for by Mills Campaign
- ^ "LePage projected to win Maine GOP primary". WCSH 6. June 8, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Christian, Ken (August 24, 2009). "Cutler To Run For Governor As Independent". WCSH. Retrieved August 24, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2009-09-02. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cover, Susan (2 June 2010). "Three unenrolled candidates qualify for governor's race". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
- ^ . MBPN. April 23, 2010. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
- ^ Wilensky-Lanford, Ethan (May 27, 2010). "Scott envisions role as 'a citizen governor'". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
- ^ Tice, Lindsay (August 26, 2010). "Jenkins' campaign hinges on Web friends". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ Draft John Jenkins to be Maine Governor in 2010 Facebook Fan Page. August 26, 2010.
- ^ . Portland Press Herald. 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
Beverly Cooper-Pete of Portland also filed Tuesday as an unenrolled candidate.
- ^ Wickenheiser, Matt (15 September 2010). "Maine gubernatorial candidates put the focus on homeless". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
The candidates who attended were Democrat Libby Mitchell and independent Shawn Moody, along with write-in candidates Beverly Cooper-Pete and Ed Braley ...
- ^ Alex Hammer for Maine Governor (official candidate web site)
- ^ Miller, Kevin (June 29, 2010). "Blaine House candidate sues over denied petitions". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
- ^ . Mainebiz.biz. Archived from the original on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ^ Associated Press. "Judge: state correct in rejecting candidate's signatures". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Journal, Kennebec (14 April 2010). "Gay-rights foe running for Maine governor". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
- ^ "Heath decides against running for gov". Portland Press Herald. Associated Press. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
- ^ Cover, Susan M. (March 16, 2010). . The Morning Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 13, 2010.
- ^ Bangor Daily News. . Archived from the original on 2009-02-14. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ Lynne Williams for Governor 2010 (official candidate web site)
- ^ Green candidate drops out of governor's race 2010-03-23 at the Wayback Machine March 15, 2010, Portland Press Herald
- ^ . Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ "Governor Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ "2010 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ "THE CRYSTAL BALL'S FINAL CALLS". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ . CQ Politics. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ "Maine Governor". Rasmussen Reports. August 12, 2010.
- ^ "Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Results, 2010-11 Tabulations, Governor General Election Tabulations".
External links
- Maine Secretary of State – Elections Division
- Maine Governor Candidates at Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions for 2010 Maine Governor from Follow the Money
- Maine Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
- 2010 Maine Gubernatorial General Election: Paul LePage (R) vs Libby Mitchell (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Election 2010: Maine Governor from Rasmussen Reports
- 2010 Maine Governor – LePage vs. Mitchell vs. Cutler from Real Clear Politics
- 2010 Maine Governor's Race[permanent dead link] from CQ Politics
- Race Profile in The New York Times
- Official campaign websites (Archived)
- Debates
- Debate hosted by the Associated General Contractors of America (Democrats, Republicans, and Cutler)
- Democrat debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 1
- Democrat debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 2
- Republican debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 1
- Republican debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 2
- Democrat debate hosted by Maine Public Broadcasting
- Republican debate hosted by Maine Public Broadcasting
- Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 1
- Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 2
- Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WCSH-TV and Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Part 1
- Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WCSH-TV and Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Part 2
- Debate featuring four of the five general election candidates (LePage chose not to participate), hosted by MPBN and Bates College
- Candidate interviews
- Interview with Democratic candidate Donna Dion[permanent dead link]
- Interview with Republican candidate Paul LePage[permanent dead link]
- Interview with Democratic candidate Libby Mitchell[permanent dead link]
- Interview with Independent candidate Shawn Moody