A wide-open competition

A wide-open competition
BY SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Morning Sentinel

AUGUSTA -- In 17 months, Maine voters will choose a new governor.

Haven't thought much about it?

With the rain, the recession and the Red Sox, that's understandable.

But many people are thinking about it. Nine have officially signed up with the state ethics commission. Former Red Sox minority owner Les Otten is scheduled to announce an exploratory committee today in South Portland.

State Rep. Dawn Hill, D-York, says she's going to run. Waterville Mayor Paul LePage, a Republican, has said he's "strongly considering" getting into the race. And you can never rule out state Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville.

Others inside and outside the political establishment are weighing their options.

The stakes are high.

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci's eight-year term ends in January 2011, giving Republicans a chance to claim control of at least one aspect of state government. Two Republicans are already in the race.

But Democrats are ready to fight, with a former attorney general an announced candidate and other well-known Democrats likely to jump in.

And don't forget about the Green Independent Party, which has two candidates officially in the race. Four unenrolled, or independent, candidates have signed up with the ethics commission.

University of Maine at Farmington political science professor Jim Melcher said people are hungry for someone with a plan.

"My hunch is people want somebody who will give the state confidence," he said. "That doesn't have to be somebody with a long résumé in government."

Traditionally, the party that's not in the White House does well in midterm elections, Melcher said. That gives an initial advantage to Republicans, who haven't held the governorship in Maine since John McKernan left office in January 1995.

"One thing the Republican party has going for them is they can say, 'we haven't had a governor since Jock McKernan, aren't you ready for something different?'" Melcher said.

People out and about this weekend said they haven't given the race much thought, but that they do have strong feelings about what they'd like to see in the next chief executive.

Many said they look for honesty in candidates, and that they want the eventual winner to live up to campaign promises.

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6536769.html