AUGUSTA — A U.S. District Court judge has ruled the state must allow supporters of independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler to contribute as much to his campaign as supporters of his partisan opponents. In Maine, individual contributions to political candidates are capped at $1,500 per election. Primaries, the tool used by political parties to select […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Analysis: One candidate’s unfair campaign finance law is another’s protection
AUGUSTA — Supporters of independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Monday, alleging that Maine’s current election laws unfairly prevent them from giving as much money to Cutler as backers of party candidates can donate to their preferred nominee. If the court rules in their favor, it could create complications […]
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PAC plans $2 million TV campaign for Michaud
AUGUSTA — A new political action committee that is supporting Democrat Mike Michaud in Maine’s hotly contested governor’s race said Monday that it will launch a television advertising campaign worth at least $2 million in the run-up to the November election. Consultants with experience in political media buys said that is an eyebrow-raising level of […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine nixes cap that limits how much individuals can give to campaigns
AUGUSTA — The Maine Ethics Commission has lifted the $25,000 aggregate cap for individuals donating to political campaigns, based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision. Under the old cap, individuals were limited to $25,000 in total donations to candidates running for office in any calendar year. The Maine Ethics Commission decided last week to […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Cutler says he won’t accept PAC funds to run for Maine governor
AUGUSTA — A Maine independent candidate says he won’t accept donations from political action committees in his bid for governor in 2014. Crystal Canney, a spokeswoman for Eliot Cutler’s campaign, says people in Maine will benefit because Cutler won’t be bought by or beholden to special interest groups. Canney says PAC money drives the agenda […]
Posted inLocal & State
‘Dark money’ shows up in Lewiston-Auburn races
AUGUSTA — Maine Citizens for Clean Elections says outside money is pouring into Maine and being funneled in such a way that it’s difficult to track who’s behind the money. A report released Monday said money from outside groups seeking to influence Maine legislative races grew by more than 500 percent from 2008 to 2012. […]
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Democrat Smith reports $8,054 raised for 2nd Congressional District race
PORTLAND — Former Navy officer Alden Smith raised just over $8,000 from July through September for his campaign for the Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat. In his quarterly finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission, Smith reported raising $8,054 during the quarter. Smith, of Sangerville, is one of three Democrats running for the seat […]