ME: Independents Gaining Traction

[smoltchanov]

I'd much rather have Poliquin run and keep Collins in the Senate.

Would Maine's 2nd be pretty secure without Poliquin?  If so, then you are very right.

I like Poliquin and would rather have him in the House seat, and then primary Collins if she stays in the Senate and runs for reelection.

Primary Collins? Good luck with that... Do you REALLY think he has suicidal inclinations?

[smoltchanov]

I mean, someone like Poliquin would be FAR better than Collins, but it would be a gamble obviously. I'm not sure whether he could win in 2020, I could see it being a ND-SEN 2012 redux or something like that if the presidential race is close. But for now, it's probably the best if Collins stays until 2026 (at which point I suspect the GOP will be able to hold the seat with some other Republican candidate surprisingly easily, especially if a Democrat wins in 2024, something which I think is basically guaranteed to happen).

IMHO - Collins is FAR better then Poliquin, Slightly conservative for my personal tastes (i would prefer someone in Stanley Tupper mold), but - still very decent, and much better then conservative Poliquin..

[smoltchanov]

Is Terry Hayes prominent enough to play spoiler? Surely liberals and anti-LePage moderate voters aren't stupid enough to split the vote again, are they? Fool me once, fool me twice... Fool me three times?

She is literally a nobody, but so was Cutler.

Oh Mayhew: She is someone who reviles the poor and disabled almost as much as her boss does. She is LePage in drag. I would go to the ends of the earth to prevent her from winning.

Not very typical position for former Democrat in Northern state..

[smoltchanov]

So, what's everyone think the matchup will be?
My money is on Mayhew vs. Mills

I have a feeling it'll be Mills and Moody.

I know that Mills is more or less typical liberal Democrat. Is Moody a "typical conservative Republican"?

[smoltchanov]

So, what's everyone think the matchup will be?
My money is on Mayhew vs. Mills

I have a feeling it'll be Mills and Moody.

I know that Mills is more or less typical liberal Democrat. Is Moody a "typical conservative Republican"?

Yes and no. He used to be an independent, but has the support of the LePage machine.

At least, that, probably, means he is a conservative. Thanks!

[smoltchanov]

So, what's everyone think the matchup will be?
My money is on Mayhew vs. Mills

I have a feeling it'll be Mills and Moody.

I know that Mills is more or less typical liberal Democrat. Is Moody a "typical conservative Republican"?

Yes and no. He used to be an independent, but has the support of the LePage machine.

At least, that, probably, means he is a conservative. Thanks!

He has typical fiscally conservative views -- like LePage, he has an extensive background in business.

Yes, but LePage is strongly socially conservative too. And that isnot what i would like to see in New England, even from Republican candidate... More thanks!

[smoltchanov]

Today was the filing deadline for partisan candidates.

On the Democratic side, these candidates have made it:

Mark Eves
Betsy Sweet
Janet Mills
Donna Dion
Mark Dion (no relation)
Adam Cote

Diane Russell submitted signatures just before the deadline, but it's unclear whether her signatures are valid and whether she will be allowed on the ballot.

Republicans:
Mike Thibodeau
Shawn Moody
Mary Mayhew
Garrett Mason

Ken Fredette is in the same situation as Diane Russell right now.

So - standard situation? All Democratic candidates are very liberal, while all Republican - very conservative? I expected better from New England state...

[smoltchanov]

^ Thanks! And - good.

[smoltchanov]

Thibodeau’s out.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.bangordailynews.com/2018/03/26/politics/maine-senate-president-mike-thibodeau-quits-gop-race-to-succeed-lepage/

Mason, Mayhew, Moody, Fredette left in the GOP race.

Weak choice, but of these Moody seems to be (relatively) sanest...

[smoltchanov]

DSA HAS ENDORSED BETSY SWEET*

*over its own dues-paying member Diane Russell

http://southernmainedsa.org/2018/04/12/press-release-southern-maine-dsa-endorses-betsy-sweet-in-june-primary-for-maine-state-governor/

8 years of LePage rule are not enough for Maine's Democrats?

[smoltchanov]

^ Exactly. I remember one Maine Republican (typical New England fiscal conservative and social liberal) saying: "My heart is on the left, but my wallet is on the right"....