AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Democrat Libby Mitchell has the most cash on hand as Maine's open race for governor, now down to five contestants, enters its final months, new campaign finance reports show.
Libby Mitchell gestures during a debate of the four Democratic gubernatorial candidates at the University of Southern Maine in Portland on Wednesday evening.
Mitchell, who has the only campaign that's receiving public funding, had more than $506,000 in cash as of the close of the last reporting period July 13, according to her filing with the state Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.
Republican Paul LePage reported more than $260,000 in cash, while independent Eliot Cutler reported $67,000 in cash. The other two independents, Shawn Moody and Kevin Scott, reported $353,000 and $3,170 in cash respectively.
The disparity in cash figures does not necessarily reflect the campaigns' potential to raise more funds as the Nov. 2 general election draws closer. Cutler has already spent more than $800,000 for the general election, figures show. The reports were due before midnight Tuesday.
"We have a very aggressive fundraising plan" that includes online as well as direct mail appeals, meet-and-greets and other public events, Cutler campaign spokesman Ted O'Meara said Wednesday. Campaign funding will be competitive with that of the two major-party candidates, O'Meara added.
LePage, the Waterville mayor, led the other privately funded candidates with $179,000 in donations during the most recent reporting period, which covered May 26 to July 13. He also has some high-profile fundraising events planned, including a coastal whistlestop run dubbed the "LePage Express" Saturday aboard the Maine Eastern Railroad. Donors riding in the coach will pay $100 per person, while those riding in the exclusive Parlor Car will pony up $750 for a seat.
Mitchell, the state Senate president whose campaign qualified for funding under the Maine Clean Election Act, will be limited to a maximum of $1.2 million for the general election no matter how much her rivals raise, according to the ethics commission. How much her campaign receives up to that amount depends on how much is the other candidates spend and how much independent advertising aimed at defeating her is spent.
Reports also give a complete picture of pre-primary spending. Republican Les Otten turned out to be the biggest spender in both gubernatorial primaries, putting $2.7 million — including a $2.2 million loan from himself — into the race. Otten finished second in GOP balloting even though he outspent LePage almost 20 to 1.
Among the other Republicans, Bruce Poliquin spent $1.4 million, including a large chunk of in-kind donations to his campaign. Peter Mills was the only Republican to qualify for public funding, $644,000. Steve Abbott spent about $460,000, Bill Beardsley spent $330,000 and Matt Jacobson $191,000, according to reports.
Among the Democrats, Steve Rowe spent about $530,000, Rosa Scarcelli spent $822,000 and Pat McGowan, who was publicly funded, spent $675,000.
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John Birch Society
By the way, Eisenhower WAS another President who was accused of being a "socialist." That was offered by the John Birch Society, which in the 1960's was cast out of the ReopubliCON party. It's back by the way. Isn't it interesting that the only refuge of Republicans after eight years of Bush is to accuse the President who hasn't raised taxes of being a "socialist." Not only is that absurd, but it is a mark of the intellectual bankruptcy of Republicans.
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do you just make this stuff up as you go along or do you have a list of fiction you pull from.
first you don't have to raise taxes to be a socialist. second, the president said he believed in wealth distribution. third, the president was pushing for a nationalized health care system. fourth, this president has raised taxes with the health care "reform". fifth, if that doesn't qualify, he will raise taxes next year when the tax cuts expire.
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President Obama doesn't reinstate the bush tax cuts, he raises taxes? So it isn't bushes fault that he passed the tax cuts with a expiration date? Hmmm, you guys keep finding new way to blame Democrats for your failures. Not working this time, the cuts expire, and not one day too soon. In fact the US lost billions on the repeal of the inheritance tax this year alone.
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if the tax cuts expire, will the taxes be higher, lower or the same as today?
the only reason bush signed it with an expiration date was to that the dems would agree to the cuts. nice attempt of writing history.
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have was an answer to the pesky law that required it be revenue neutral, or expire. So instead of cutting spending to pay for the wealthy tax cuts, they put an expiration date. So it will be bush's fault. I am certain that you didn't credit President Obama with the last two years of the bush wealthy tax cuts, did you? So this is completely bush's fault, and you cannot deny it. With a straight face, at least.
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tron, you know how you don't like the 60 votes on procedural matters in the Senate, well the republicans never had 60 members and had to get dems to sign on and that was how they did it.
there is now way obama can be credit with the tax cuts, he was not there when they were past.
oh, and with a straight face, it is not entirely bush's fault.
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If President Obama is a "socialist," then so is Eisenhower, whose tax rate hovered around 50%. The 50's was when the middle class grew at a rate not seen since. Republicans have been at war with the concept of a vibrant and expanding middle class, which is why under Bush, we have seen 10% of Americans control 70% of its wealth. Not only is that unsustainable, but it is a recipe for American disaster. We already have Republicans to thank for creating a sea of red ink with massive tax cuts for the wealthy that did nothing more than almost bring us into another Great Depression. Republicans and their level of ignorance (or for those who ACTAUALLY know what Republicans are about) are REPUGNANT. Republicans don't want Democracy, they want Oligarchy (rule by the wealthy). You think that a CEO making 700 TIMES what a factory worker makes is right, fair, or will help America in the long run? If so, then you just are part of the cancer eating away at America's future.
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This is the Republican playbook for the 2010 midterm elections. It is virtually identical to the one they used in 1994 to retake Congress and hamstring a reformer president.
This playbook consists of 5 distinct steps:
Step 1: Avoid Responsibility for GOP Failures
Step 2: Increase Negativity
Step 3: “Throw the Bums Out!”
Step 4: Make Formal Pledge of Grandiose Promises
Step 5: Retake Congress
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SonofTron,
Cackling Republicans calling the President "socialist" when he hasn't even increased taxes is the embodiment not only of ignorance, but of "extremism." No one does "extreme" like Republicans.
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voisine, socialism is a redistribution of wealth. it was not the republicans who said he said he believes in the redistribution of wealth, but the president himself.
from then candidate obama:
"I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody"
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voisine, tron, xyz are the best thing for republicans. their post show how extremely socialist the democrats are. they portray democrats in an extremely bad light. voisine with his calling of Mr. LePage, LePig shows he has nothing to offer. tron who starts everyday blaming republicans, calling all who disagree with his leftist believes, bigots, racists and right wing wackos. the more these leftist extremist post, the worst the democrats look.
please keep up the good work.
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I'm virtually middle of the road. It only seems leftist for you because anything to the left of Genghis Khan is considered socialist. However, there are more people in the mainstream, like me, than in your rarefied world.
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No one who spends every opportunity calling out people as racist, right wing bigoted wackos should ever claim to be middle of the road, unless they are referring to the LEFT hand lane only. Once again proved you can't fix stupid! But keep telling people, you, voisine, and lil are some of the best ammunition the conservatives have to take back power, the more you talk, the better we do...
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tron, you are nowhere near main stream.
you believe in higher taxes, nationalized health care, business regulations and the list goes on. those beliefs are not mainstream.
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You know what, I'm a Democrat and will say flat out that Mitchell is a super nice lady. She has a good command of the issues. She is head and shoulders above a buffoon like LePig. However, I'm so disappointed in her. I actually hope that someone from her campaign reads this and understands it is from a very loyal Democrat. I'm not certain that I won't vote for Libby, but I'm seriously disappointed in her. She should have placed her party far above her personal aspirations and realized that in this environment, she would be so vulnerable. Winning the primary is not winning the general. Perhaps Libby can win, there is a lot of time, but I'm sorry, we had better choices and really messed things up. This entire situation is heading the way of Martha Coakley in Massachusetts. Libby is a weak candidate and I hope she drops out and someone with a chance like Rowe steps up. I may wind up voting for Cutler. Would someone in the Mitchell camp explain what the heck she's doing??
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Isn't it interesting that LePigNuts can't talk about much more than "welfare," which nationally accounts for abo9ut 1% of the Federal Budget. They're fine with keeping an entire war off the books like the cost of the war in Iraq under Bush, but hey, let's skip off to wingnut la-la land by reforming 1% of the budget ... with no plan by LePig himself, by the way. His "plan" is to borrow an idea that didn't work in another state. Some plan. LePig is an undistinguished buffoon who is dumber than a rock. As such, he's the candidate of choice for irrational wingnuts because he reflects their self-images perfectly. Oh and by the way, all the LePigNuts can do is talk about "welfare," and yet, they're trying to say that LePage is a "mainstream" candidate. More garbage from the minds of children who didn't grow up. Republican: Ignorant. Angry. Worthless.
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This was from the Morning Sentinel web site but it so accurately summarizes why LePage is nothing more than an empty vessel into which far right loons pour their neo-con fantasies:
What confuses me is, I live in Waterville, and I look around and i say hmm.. What has LePage done for Waterville.. Hmm.. We have a new Tim Hortins... Ok.. Roads.. well We have a few streets repaved.. First Range way is a mess.. So not so much there.. He made a video once.. Front street is still a mess.. ahh.. hmm What has LePage done for me.. Ahh.. nothing! So why on earth should I expect him to do or change anything? He will just fight with the other govs around New England. Hes a republican so he will Give Tax cuts (SPENDING) to the rich and give me a few bucks back on the side while making me pay more for my car cuz the roads are a wreck cant fix them.. (he spent it all in tax cuts).... WHY would i vote for him.. I dont get it.. Hes done nothing.. I challenge you come to waterville see what hes done.. And you say the same thing.. NOTHING..
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I am upset that we have spent our money for primary runs. I do not believe that primary candidates should receive public funding. Considering that we spent almost $2M for Mitchell, Mills and McGowan to run against each other in the primary. Now, we are giving Mitchell another $600,000 for the general election. This is a lot of money for people to fulfill their egos -- not all of the candidates are doing it solely for their egos, but some are.
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the numbers listed by this "ultra conservative rag" are what those left in the race for the Blaine House have on hand as of 7/13. The numbers for monies spent in the "PRE"-primary candidates are those numbers you are having issue with.
math it's a "fuzzy" thing for ultra-libs.
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Libby Mitchell should have the most cash on hand. We the taxpayers gave her $660,000 to spend...and, there are various loopholes and such that will enable her to get some contributions and advertising on the side. Ain't life grand?
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Let’s give LePage the Vote!
Historically Maine has had a governing office, dominated by Republicans and historically Maine was a leading economic force for our country. A state with extreme pride and a work force that made the rest of the union envois of our reputation!
That was then this is now! After a devastating 16 years of Democrats and Demi-indepentants our motto has been decimated from Dirigo (I Lead) to Dirigo (I depend).
From a leader of states to now currently a welfare state!
It is now time to revisit our history and culture and bring back the pride of our hard working entrepreneurial spirit and elect Paul LePage!
Maine cannot survive with another in house, hand-picked politician. This candidate (Mrs. Mitchell) is institutionalized thru government and social programs; she has minimal experience in the private sector. All this vote would give us is more big government, bureaucracies and the insecure ability to let Mainers be Mainers. The fact that she has more money is proof we have become dependant and the emperor does not want that to change.
Let’s put or faith in the true Maine spirit, become independent again and not rely on outside or inside intervention. Let the Maine work force go back to what we did best. Build a nation!
Please research all of our candidates, learn there history, there successes and there failures.
You will find that Maine’s best choice for our history and our future is Paul LePage.
Support the private sector and not a more big intrusive government!
BE FREE!!!
More work / less welfare……..DIRIGO!!! We shall lead!!
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What about 2.7 million and 20 to 1 do you not comprehend? DO THE MATH if you are able.
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give that information, if you are unable to read that far all at once, try doing it in stages.
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I read that far and did not read how much Libby spent either.
Shouldn't that also be a problem for you?
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LePage, hasn't disclosed how much money he spent on the primary. Or the SJ just 'forgot' to report it. It appears some impartial reporting isn't going to happen here.
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The article merely reports on how much money Gubernatorial candidates have at this time in their coffers. Not how much money they spent on primary elections, dog food, in Libby's case (detailing make up from a local mortician), etc,etc.
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Mitchell feels that having kissed more butt that a toilet seat as a politician she should sock it to the electorate once again time by receiving public funding. Can you say LOSER.
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