Maine Governor Megathread: LePage Round 3

[GoldenMainer]

Why do people seem to think LePage has a chance? He’s never won a majority of voters in the state, he’s a divisive figure, and barely won in 2014. Plus Mills hasn’t done anything wrong I don’t see a scenario where LePage beats Mills, especially with RCV

The same issues that were weaponized in the Virginia governor's race can be weaponized here (mask mandates, vaccine mandates, school openings, school curriculum). In addition, Mills supported the CMP corridor and voters voted that ballot measure down about 60-40. I also haven't noticed any big "wins" from the Mills admin since so much of the energy has been on the pandemic. In a volatile environment in a politically volatile state, this race is worth watching and not guaranteed by any means.

[GoldenMainer]

Surprisingly, very quiet on the ME-GOV front. I've seen a few commercials from Mills and none from Lepage. The Mills commercials focus on bipartisanship and feature her family of stepdaughters. I thought Lepage would be making wild statements and attacks by now but it has been rather calm.

[GoldenMainer]

Thanks to Eliot Cutler (who ran as an independent both in 2010 and 2014), LePage was able to pull through both times.  Mills won't have to worry about Cutler this year--he's facing jail time for child pornography charges.

Libby Mitchell, the Dem. nominee in 2010, was the one in the spoiler role. She got 19%, Cutler 36%, Lepage 38%. Now that we know about Cutler's child porn charges though, it's gross to think he came so close to getting elected.

I agree with the assessment above that this is lean D but with upset potential.