Editor’s Note: During the 2018 election season, the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting is committed to providing independent, non-partisan election coverage to Maine residents. Our coverage starts with this story, looking at the candidates who hope to be Maine’s next governor and the financial details of each campaign.
We hope this information helps you start to explore the men and women looking to be Maine’s next chief executive. Look for similar stories on Maine’s congressional campaigns and its Senate race in the next few weeks.
Introducing the 2018 Maine gubernatorial field
AUGUSTA – With eight months to go before Maine voters elect a new governor, the race to replace incumbent Paul LePage is already crowded with a diverse field of candidates.
Twenty-four candidates have filed paperwork with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to run for governor in 2018. Of those declared, 13 are running as Democrats, five as Republicans, one as a member of the Maine Green Independent Party and five as unenrolled independents.
The field is split between candidates who have political experience in Maine and those pursuing their first elected position.
Five candidates are running who currently hold either elected or appointed office: Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo); Maine Attorney General Janet Mills, a Democrat; Sen. Mark Dion (D-Portland); House Minority Leader Rep. Kenneth Fredette (R-Newport); Maine State Treasurer Terry Hayes, an independent; and Senate Majority Leader Garrett Paul Mason (R-Lisbon).
Former elected or appointed officials running for governor include Republican Mary Mayhew, a former Health and Human Services commissioner; Democrats Mark Eves, a former state rep. and speaker of the house; Sean Faircloth, a former Bangor mayor and state senator; Donna Dion, a former Biddeford mayor; Diane Russell, a former state rep from Portland; James Boyle, a former state senator from Gorham; and Independent John Jenkins, a former state senator and mayor of Lewiston and then Auburn.
Candidates seeking their first elected statewide position include Democrats Adam Cote, Betsy Sweet, Anthony Crocitto, Steve DeAngelis, Patrick Eisenhart and Martin Vachon; Republican Shawn Moody; Independents Ethan Alcorn, Kenneth Capron and Alan Caron; and Green Party candidate Elizabeth Marsano.
While neither has held statewide office, both Cote and Moody lost high-profile races the last time they ran for public office. In 2008, Cote lost the Democratic primary to Chellie Pingree to represent Maine’s first congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Moody lost his independent bid for governor in 2010.
An effective way to assess the mid-winter status of these campaigns is to look at the money raised thus far for each.
Cote, Moody, Caron and Mills are the only four candidates to report cash balance totals over $100,000.
In reporting released last week from the last six months of 2017, Cote, a lawyer, leads the field with a cash-on-hand total of $339,856. Cote, who raised more than $500,000 last year, has a considerable cash lead over Moody ($260,117), Caron ($242,393) and Mills ($230,615).
Mayhew, from South China, has the next highest cash-on-hand total with $94,670. Other candidates with $50,000 to $100,000 in their campaign account are Democrat James Boyle ($74,355) and Republican Mike Thibodeau ($58,898).
Former Speaker of the House Eves (D-North Berwick) is next with a cash balance of $39,113. He’s followed by Mark Dion ($11,891), Sweet ($11,628), Russell ($5,071), DeAngelis ($4,801), Hayes ($3,929), Mason ($2,069) and Marsano ($1,088).
All of the other candidates reported a cash balance below $1,000.
Another factor when sorting through a field of candidates this large is whether gubernatorial hopefuls have decided to run as Clean Election Candidates. Those running as a Clean Election Candidate must collect 3,200 qualifying contributions of $5 apiece by April 20 in order to qualify for public financing.
Nine candidates are running as Clean Election candidates this year: Sweet, DeAngelis, Hayes, Mason, Marsano, Faircloth, Capron, Donna Dion and Alcorn.
Anyone running for governor with a party affiliation must submit nomination petitions to the Maine Secretary of State’s Office by March 15, the primary filing date. Primary elections for party-affiliated candidates are Tuesday, June 12. General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Here’s a closer look at the 24 candidates hoping to be Maine’s next governor:
ETHAN ALCORN
Age: 53
Hometown: Saco
Occupation: Landscape owner, property manager
Party: Independent
Why he’s running: “I am running because I now have time, enough youth still, variety of experience and good ideas. I think forces are polarizing us, Maine needs help, and it is time for me to try.”
Previous political experience: None
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Contributions: No report
Loans: No report
Expenditures: No report
Cash Balance: No report
JAMES BOYLE
Age: 59
Hometown: Gorham
Occupation: Owner of Boyle Associates Environmental Consultants, and Avant Dance & Event Center
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Previous political experience: State senator, District 6, 2012-2014
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $131,886
Expenditures: $57,530
Cash Balance: $74,355
KENNETH CAPRON
Age: 67
Hometown: Portland
Occupation: Founder of nonprofit Memory Works; retired CPA
Party: Independent
Why he’s running: “I’m a contrarian. I’m tired of the status quo. When’s the last time government listened to you? If you’re like me, you’re sick and tired of the constant tax debates and the ping-pong welfare games. If you’re like me, you want real solutions that put issues to bed once and for all. I’m a systems person, known for solving complex problems so they stay fixed. Let’s work together – you and me – as a team to make the greatest use of scarce resources for our state – The Great State of Maine! I’ve got a lot of ideas to share. Let’s do this.”
Previous political experience: Ran for State House (District 116) in 2008, lost to Charlie Harlow; Ran for State House seat, District 116, in 2010, lost to Badrudin Sharif
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Contributions: No report
Expenditures: No report
Cash Balance: No report
ALAN CARON
Age: 66
Hometown: Freeport
Occupation: President of Envision Maine
Party: Independent
Why he’s running: “Maine is at a tipping point. We’re adrift between a past that we cannot return to and a future that we can’t yet see. While some Mainers are doing well in the new economy, many have been left behind. To bring economic opportunity to all of Maine, we must find new ways to work together, across party lines and geographic regions. The first step is to reject leaders who are motivated by partisan anger and old grudges, and support those who will ask the tough questions, treat everyone with respect and even celebrate our differences. I’m running as an independent because I believe that partisan politics is getting in our way. Both parties are stuck in old and tired ideas that are choking off innovation and energy. Neither party has a vision or a plan for moving us forward. And neither can unite us.”
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $280,195
Expenditures: $37,801
Cash Balance: $242,393
ADAM COTE
Age: 44
Hometown: Sanford
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: “I am running for governor because I believe we need to make sure change starts in Maine in 2018. With new leadership grounded in Maine values like hard work, innovation, a welcoming spirit and a belief that every person is deserving of respect, I know we can turn the page from the dead-end politics of division, strengthen the state we love and leave it stronger and better for our kids and future generations.”
Previous political experience: Ran for U.S. House Seat in 2008 (1st congressional district), lost to Chellie Pingree in the primary
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $527,306
Expenditures: $187,778
Cash Balance: $339,856
ANTHONY CROCITTO
Hometown: Winterport
Occupation: Retired U.S. Postal Service; Army Ranger, Special Forces
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: No report
Expenditures: No report
Cash Balance: No report
STEVE DEANGELIS
Age: 63
Hometown: Readfield
Occupation: Physics teacher and Nordic ski coach at Maranacook High School
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: “We have incredible potential as a state: abundant natural resources, a talented and hard-working population, and a knack for blazing our own, independent trails. We need a leader who can pull people together to work as an unstoppable team. As Maine’s next governor, I will use my abilities honed as a veteran teacher and coach, to guide Team Maine towards success.”
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Seed contributions: $9,485
Expenditures: $4,683
Cash Balance: $4,801
DONNA JANE DION
Age: 66
Hometown: Biddeford
Occupation: Owns D.C. Consulting with her husband; former finance director for nonprofit Port Resources
Party: Democratic
Why she’s running: “For the past 15 years becoming governor for the state of Maine has been an aspiration of mine, initially seeded by the many, intensive, complex financial challenges placed before me by the state of Maine, in positions such as mayor and financial director of nonprofits, which resulted in my realization that my common sense leadership and proven professional financial business experiences would be strong assets in providing direction and collaborations in the next four years in governing the future goals of the state of Maine.”
Previous political experience: 1997-2003, mayor of Biddeford; ran for governor in 2010
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Contributions: No report
Expenditures: No report
Cash Balance: No report
MARK DION
Age: 62
Hometown: Portland
Occupation: Attorney at Dion Law LLC
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: “I have seen too many elected leaders divide our state and our nation along lines of politics, income and geography. This bickering and undue influence of corporate money at the State House has left the people of Maine stuck at the back of the line, with our economy stagnating, and our government unable to meet basic needs. We need leaders who can unite us all, so our children and grandchildren can be proud to call Maine their home. I’m running for Governor to bring integrity, civility and fairness to the Blaine House. We must provide all Maine families with a higher quality of life, with a revitalized rural economy and a public education system fully funded from pre-K to post-secondary. All Mainers must have affordable access to preventive healthcare, and we must ensure that our neighbors struggling with drugs, alcohol and mental illness have resources they need to heal. And we must preserve our natural resources for future generations. I was born in the 2nd Congressional District and made my career representing Portland and Cumberland County as Deputy Police Chief, County Sheriff, and as a Legislator. I know that every town and city in Maine is full of good, hard working people. They deserve a Governor who truly cares about their well-being and works hard for them every day.”
Previous political experience: Sheriff, Cumberland County, 1998-2010; state representative, District 113, 2010-2016; state senator, District 28, 2016-present chairman of the Committee on Energy Utilities and Technology
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $15,946
Expenditures: $4,054
Cash Balance: $11,891
PATRICK EISENHART
Age: 75
Hometown: Augusta
Occupation: Retired U.S. Coast Guard officer; retired disaster preparedness planner
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: “I am running to expose and remove Koch brothers money from state politics.”
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Contributions: $1,950
Expenditures: $1,351
Cash balance: $598
MARK EVES
Age: 40
Hometown: North Berwick
Occupation: Psychologist, counselor and therapist
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: “The stresses Maine families are under everyday — whether its money, or jobs, or all the craziness going on in DC — it’s just too much. What we do about it in Kittery may be different from Minot or Madawaska, and all the backroads and Main Streets in between, but everyone has a stake in this. And if we honor what people are going through, really take the time to understand it, and stick with it, there’s so much we can do to lift the pressure that families are living under today. That’s how we build a better Maine – one family at a time. That’s why I’m running for governor.”
Previous political experience: State representative, District 6, 2008-2016; Speaker of the House, 2012-2016
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $160,319
Expenditures: $121,205
Cash Balance: $39,113
SEAN FAIRCLOTH
Age: 57
Hometown: Bangor
Occupation: Author, attorney, founder of Maine Discovery Museum
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: “We need big money out of politics, so I’m running clean elections. The progressive values of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and George Mitchell are the values I’ve worked for successfully during my entire life. I want average Mainers to see increases in wages and human rights for all. As a State Senator and Mayor and a leader of downtown revitalization in my City of Bangor, I have proven progressive results as is documented at www.seanfaircloth.com.”
Previous political experience: Bangor city councilor, Maine House 2002-2008; Maine Senate District 9, 1994-1996, Judiciary and Appropriations Committee
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Seed contributions: $640
Expenditures: $0
Cash Balance: $640
KENNETH FREDETTE
Age: 53
Hometown: Newport
Occupation: Judge Advocate General for Air National Guard, tribal prosecutor for Penobscot Indian Nation
Party: Republican
Why he’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Previous political experience: State representative, District 100, 2010-present
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $14,435
Expenditures: $2,071
Cash Balance: $12,363
TERRY HAYES
Age: 59
Hometown: Buckfield
Job: Treasurer for Maine State Legislature
Party: Independent
Why she’s running: “My vision for Maine’s future is one where people are welcomed and connected, skilled and productive, healthy and well. It’s a vision that unites us around shared values and a blueprint to grow Maine’s economy and improve the quality of life for all the Maine people. I’m running for Governor because how we do things matters. Partisanship is stalling progress and holding us back. It’s time to put our people above party allegiances and focus on getting the Maine we want to have 10, 15, 20 years from now. We can build that future together, if we refuse to let partisanship and party loyalty get in our way. I have earned the respect and trust of Republicans and Democrats alike to twice be elected as Maine’s first independent State Treasurer. When I am elected as Maine’s next Governor, I will bring Republicans and Democrats together to make state government work for the people that pay the bills – Mainers.”
Previous political experience: Maine House of Representatives, District 94, 2006-2014
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Seed contributions: $41,774
Expenditures: $37,845
Cash Balance: $3,929
JOHN JENKINS
Age: 65
Hometown: Auburn
Occupation: Teacher at Lincoln Academy, motivational speaker, martial arts expert
Party: Independent
Why he’s running: “Experienced leadership matters. My ongoing community work has been towards effective solutions that affect our state: hunger, homelessness, healthcare access, opiate addiction, persistent poverty and work readiness.”
Previous political experience: Maine Senate, District 21, 1996-1998, former mayor of Lewiston and Auburn
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $50
Expenditures: $0
Cash Balance: $50
ELIZABETH MARSANO
Age: 67
Hometown: Waldo
Occupation: Retired, worked at Family Crisis Center
Party: Green
Why she’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Previous political experience: Ran for state House in Portland in 1996
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Seed contributions: $1,145
Expenditures: $56
Cash balance: $1,088
GARRETT MASON
Age: 32
Hometown: Lisbon Falls
Occupation: State senator; works in family excavation business
Party: Republican
Why he’s running: “I am running for governor to put Maine and Maine families first. Over the past eight years, our state has made great strides toward meaningful welfare reform, lowering taxes, and more parental choice in how their children are educated. However, we have only just begun. During my time in the Senate and as the Senate Majority Leader, we were able to pass welfare reform that bears down on waste, fraud and abuse in our system. We lowered income taxes not only for the rich, not only for the poor, but for all Maine families. We implemented charter schools in Maine to provide educational options to ensure that we provide all Maine children with a quality education. Our state needs leadership that continues to put Maine first. Leaders who see our challenges with clear eyes and focus on polices that lead to better outcomes for you and your family. As your governor, I will ensure that Maine, Maine businesses and Maine families are always first.”
Previous political experience: State Senate, District 22, 2010-present, Senate Republican Leader
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Seed contributions: $31,830
Expenditures: $29,761
Cash Balance: $2,069
MARY MAYHEW
Age: 53
Hometown: South China
Occupation: Former commissioner, Department of Health and Human Services, 2011-2017
Party: Republican
Why she’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Previous political experience: None
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $197,838
Expenditures: $103,167
Cash Balance: $94,670
JANET MILLS
Age: 69
Hometown: Farmington
Occupation: Maine Attorney General since 2012
Party: Democratic
Why she’s running: “I’ve spent my life fighting to protect Maine families, defend working people, and preserve our beautiful natural resources. As governor, I will do everything in my power to make Maine the safe, beautiful, prosperous state we all want for our children and grandchildren.”
Previous political experience: District Attorney for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties, 1980-92; state representative, 2002-2008; Attorney General from 2008-2011 and again from 2012-present
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $352,575
Expenditures: $121,959
Cash Balance: $230,615
SHAWN MOODY
Age: 57
Hometown: Gorham
Occupation: Owner of Moody’s Collision Center
Party: Republican
Why he’s running: “I am running for governor because many Mainers are tired of just getting by, now it’s time for them to get ahead. Over the past eight years, Governor LePage has paid off our massive hospital debt, increased the cash in our rainy-day fund, and reduced our unemployment rate. Now is not the time to turn Augusta over to professional politicians or special interest insiders. We must continue to institute common sense conservative reforms to continue growing Maine’s economy.”
Previous political experience: Ran as Independent for governor in 2010
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $286,005
Expenditures: $25,887
Cash Balance: $260,117
DIANE RUSSELL
Age: 41
Hometown: Portland
Occupation: Former state representative
Party: Democratic
Why she’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Previous political experience: Maine House of Representative, District 125, 2008-2016
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $49,979
Expenditures: $44,907
Cash Balance: $5,071
BETSY SWEET
Age: 60
Hometown: Hallowell
Occupation: Runs Moose Ridge Associates Law Firm
Party: Democratic
Why she’s running: “I am running for governor because I believe we are at a crossroads. Our system is broken, giving us the opportunity for significant change so that government actually supports and assists Maine people in the issues we face every day – good-paying jobs, healthcare, affordable and clean energy, fair taxation – and finding solutions by reaching out to people who are closest to the problem. The No. 1 obstacle to doing this now is money in politics, which means that big donors and special interests control the agenda and solutions. I am running as a Clean Elections Candidate so that we have the opportunity to elect someone whose only allegiance is to the people of Maine. This will repair our system and put democracy back into the hands of the people where it belongs.”
Financing: Maine Clean Elections (pending)
Seed contributions: $88,131
Expenditures: $76,503
Cash Balance: $11,628
MICHAEL THIBODEAU
Age: 51
Hometown: Winterport
Occupation: Co-owner of Mt. Waldo Plastics and co-owner TB Equipment
Party: Republican
Why he’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Previous political experience: Current Maine Senate President, Maine Senate 2010-present, 23rd District
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: $90,863
Expenditures: $31,965
Cash Balance: $58,898
MARTIN VACHON
Hometown: Mariaville
Occupation: Former self-employed electrical contractor
Party: Democratic
Why he’s running: Candidate did not respond to this request.
Previous political experience: Ran in Republican primary in 2010
Financing: Traditional
Contributions: No report
Expenditures: No report
Cash Balance: No report
