AUGUSTA (AP) – Nancy Oden, who worked for independent Ralph Nader’s presidential campaign in Maine last year, filed paperwork Thursday to start the process toward becoming a publicly financed candidate for governor in 2006.

Oden, of Jonesboro, filed papers with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices announcing her intention to become a publicly funded candidate under Maine’s Clean Elections Act. Gubernatorial candidates can qualify for funding if they collect $5 donations from 2,500 individual supporters and gather 4,000 supporters’ signatures.

A spokesman said incumbent Democratic Gov. John Baldacci has not ruled out running as a taxpayer-financed candidate next year. Baldacci’s campaign was privately financed in 2002.

Others are mulling whether to run in 2006. The Republican Baldacci beat two years ago, Peter Cianchette, has yet to rule out a second try.

Oden is a Green Party activist and organic farmer.