LEWISTON – A second independent candidate has qualified for this fall’s gubernatorial race.
David Jones of Falmouth turned in about 5,500 signatures Wednesday and had 4,022 accepted by the secretary of state. Candidates for governor must submit at least 4,000 signatures.
“I’ve dealt with the taxes here in Maine, and I’ve seen the small businesses that have failed,” said Jones by phone while campaigning in Rumford Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve driven the rural roads in this state, and I have to drive my truck half on the road and half off to keep from getting beat to death. It’s time we do something about it.”
Jones said he is also trying to qualify as a Maine Clean Election candidate, which would entitle him to public financing for his campaign.
“We’re very close,” Jones said of his efforts to collect the 2,500 $5 contributions to the Maine Clean Election Fund that are required. “We’re working all this evening, Thursday and Friday trying to fill the few hundred donations we’re missing.”
The deadline to qualify for public financing is Friday.
Jones joins Barbara Merrill of Appleton as the second independent to qualify for the ballot, which is becoming more crowded by the day. Merrill is also seeking public financing of her campaign.
Jones, a businessman and builder, said he’s fed up with the lack of progress in the state and the inability of the average person to have their voice heard in Augusta.
“We need to invest in the growth of the state. We need to stop with the no-conomics and start with the yes-conomics,” Jones said.
In addition to Merrill and Jones, at least three other candidates will be running for governor.
Incumbent Gov. John Baldacci is seeking re-election and is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Chris Miller. Baldacci and Miller are running traditionally financed campaigns.
Former U.S. Rep. Dave Emery, state Sen. Peter Mills and state Sen. Chandler Woodcock are seeking the Republican nomination. Both Mills and Woodcock are Clean Election candidates. Emery’s campaign is privately financed.
The primary is June 13.
Pat LaMarche qualified for the ballot for the Green Independent Party and as a Clean Election candidate.
Clean Election candidates will receive an initial disbursement of $400,000 for the general election and can qualify for up to $800,000 more in matching contributions for a total of $1.2 million.
Other candidates also have announced their intention to enter the gubernatorial race, including: Bruce Coyne, Bruce Fleming, Alex Hammer, John Jenkins, John Michael and Jeffrey Sanborn.
Today is the last day to submit signatures for a spot in the race.
“There are a lot of people who are disenfranchised,” Jones said. “They think the two parties aren’t listening. I want to show people here in Maine that they can have a voice in the government.”
Jones was enrolled as a Republican before entering this race, but said he’s never been active in politics or held elective office.
“And that’s one of my best qualifications,” Jones said. “The longer politicians are in office, the less effective they become.”
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