The Race for Governor

I had seen quite a few signs for Paul Lepage for Governor but never having heard of him I did not consider that he had much of a chance. With so many candidates and his followers being clearly the most passionate he did win he primary. He is considered the candidate of the tea party and is quite conservative. What remains to be seen is how he is painted by the opposition. Most important will be voter turnout. If it is low he will have a chance.

Surprising that Susan Collin's office boy Abbott only gained 13 percent of the vote. Shows again that primaries are for the more extreme members of the party.

On the Dem side Libby Mitchell defeated a crowded field. A longtime legislator who has lost a couple of statewide races I do not know anything that makes me think she will be a good governor. She is a nondescript liberal politician.

I do not know if any governor can make a difference. I think again Maine is ripe for an independent. With the right and left extremes nominating the candidates it seems to me that a independent in the center could win.

Elliott Cutler a former Democratic administration official from the Ed Muskie, Jimmy Carter era is running as an independent. If he rises one would assume he will hurt Mitchell more than Lepage.

It could be interesting. What is most sad is not one candidate is worth being excited about.