2014 Maine gubernatorial election

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The 2014 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Republican Governor Paul LePage won election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Mike Michaud, the U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district, and independent Eliot Cutler, an attorney and second-place finisher from the 2010 gubernatorial election.[1] This was one of nine Republican-held governorships up for election in a state that Barack Obama won in the 2012 presidential election. This is currently the most recent election that Maine elected a Republican governor. Primary elections were held on June 10, 2014.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2014 Maine gubernatorial election
← 2010
November 4, 2014 (2014-11-04)
2018 →
 
Nominee Paul LePage Mike Michaud Eliot Cutler
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Popular vote 294,533 265,125 51,518
Percentage 48.18% 43.37% 8.43%
LePage:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Michaud:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      
Governor before election

Paul LePage
Republican

 Elected Governor

Paul LePage
Republican

Close

LePage was initially considered vulnerable in this race, due to persistent approval ratings below 50%. The consensus among The Cook Political Report,[2] Governing[3] and The Rothenberg Political Report[4] was that the race was a "tossup" and Daily Kos Elections[5] and Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] rated the race as "lean Democratic". On election day, LePage won the election in what was considered a minor upset.

Background

After a close three-way election in 2010, Republican Paul LePage, the mayor of Waterville, was elected governor with 38% of the vote. He beat independent candidate Eliot Cutler, who won 36%, and Democrat Libby Mitchell, the president of the Maine Senate, who won 19%. Republican gubernatorial nominees in Maine have failed to win a majority of the vote in 12 consecutive cycles over the last 50+ years – the longest such GOP streak in the nation.[7] No governor has been popularly elected with less than 40 percent of the vote in two consecutive cycles in U.S. history.[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Who should challenge LePage in a primary?

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Phil
Harriman		 Roger
Katz		 Peter
Mills		 Bruce
Poliquin		 Peter
Vigue		 Carol
Weston		 Other/
Undecided
Pan Atlantic SMS[11] November 25–30, 2013 261 ± ?% 7.4% 5.1% 8.3% 6.6% 15.3% 6.9% 50.4%
Close

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul LePage (incumbent) 50,856 81.61
Blank ballots 11,457 18.39
Total votes 62,313 100
Close

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Polling

Hypothetical polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 John
Baldacci		 Emily
Cain		 Bill
Diamond		 Matt
Dunlap		 Jeremy
Fischer		 Mike
Michaud		 Janet
Mills		 Karen
Mills		 Chellie
Pingree		 Ethan
Strimling		 Steve
Woods		 Other/
Undecided
Pan Atlantic SMS[23] March 11–16, 2013 271 — 8.9% 15.9% 6.3% — — 8.5% 3% — 6.3% — 48.7%
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 510 ±4.4% 28% 6% — — 2% 19% 4% — 21% 3% 0% 16%
Close

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Democratic primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Michaud 56,286 86.48
Blank ballots 8,799 13.52
Total votes 65,085 100
Close

Green Independent primary

Candidates

Withdrew

Independents

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

General election

Candidates

Campaign

On January 17, 2014, Eliot Cutler announced that he had challenged LePage and Michaud to a series of policy debates, with at least one to be held in each of Maine's 16 counties, over the course of the campaign. Cutler noted that neither man had a primary challenger and as such the field is largely set, with plenty of time to debate. Both LePage and Michaud's campaigns criticized Cutler as issuing such a challenge only to jump-start his campaign and generate attention.[33]

Lee Schultheis said that his campaign was not about winning the election, but about encouraging honest conversation on the issues and working towards compromise, while criticizing the win-at-any-cost mentality in politics. He summarized his campaign as "I'm running for Governor, but not really". He had qualified for the ballot and as such had been invited to at least one debate.[34] However, citing the fact that two of three debates he had been invited to had been cancelled, as well as the difficulty of an independent working in the two-party system, he withdrew from the race on September 5, 2014.[31]

Cutler posted a video to his Facebook and Twitter accounts on May 5, 2014, where he responded to a voter's question about his candidacy potentially splitting the vote again. He stated that his supporters, if they felt on the night before the election that he could not win, should vote for someone else.[35]

In July 2014, Cutler claimed that in May 2011 he had been approached by Maine Democratic Party Chairman Ben Grant to run as a Democrat in 2014, with assurances that the Party would "clear the field" in such a circumstance. Grant denied Cutler's claim, calling it "100 percent false", stating that while he had met with Cutler, that subject was not discussed. He added that the party had been focused solely on getting Mike Michaud or Chellie Pingree to run for governor. Cutler stated that he would be willing to sign an affidavit on the matter, as he remembered the conversation "very clearly". Attorney and Democratic activist Severin Beliveau disputed Cutler's claim that he had been offered a "cleared field", saying: "That's [Cutler's] ego. We all have egos, but his is in another world, in the ether somewhere." Cutler further claimed that in the spring of 2011 he was asked by then-Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster to join the Republican Party. Webster also repudiated Cutler's claim, saying that he only met Cutler as a courtesy, asking "why would Republicans want a candidate who doesn't share our views? That doesn't make sense."[36]

LePage stated on a WVOM-FM radio show on August 7 that he believes he will either win by a landslide or lose by a landslide, stating that his views are too different from his opponents' to result in a close race.[37]

On September 18, LePage told the editorial board of The Portsmouth Herald that he did not want their endorsement, saying his interest in it was "none, zero". He further stated "I'm not about politics. I'm about issues. I do not want be endorsed. I don't want to be mentioned in the same vein as Mike Michaud."[38]

In mid-October, it was reported that the Maine Republican Party had begun spending money to target Democratic voters with negative attacks against Michaud that also praised Cutler, in believing Cutler would play a spoiler role.[39] LePage had previously said in June that Cutler's candidacy was good for his re-election campaign.[40] Meanwhile, Cutler himself has appeared to be winding down his campaign, decreasing his spending on television advertisements, leading to speculation that he was essentially conceding the race.[39][41] By the end of October, this seemed to be confirmed, as columnist Ethan Strimling noted that Cutler's weekly TV spending had decreased across October from $55,000 to $50,000, then $29,000, down to $4,000. By contrast, campaign committees and outside groups supporting LePage and Michaud were outspending him 100-to-1 each.[42]

In late October, the Republican Governors Association began airing a television advertisement that attacked Michaud before pivoting to praise Cutler, noting that he had been endorsed by Independent U.S. Senator and former Independent Governor Angus King. The spot did not mention LePage, hoping instead to persuade Michaud supporters to vote for Cutler. Michaud campaign manager Matt McTighe called it "a desperate attempt to split the vote that is uniting to defeat Gov. LePage"[43] and King, despite having endorsed Cutler, accused the RGA of "trying to trick people" and called their tactics "[dis]honest... they're trying to promote one candidate when they're really trying to promote someone else."[44]

After Cutler announced that he would hold a press conference on October 29, it was speculated that he was doing so to withdraw from the race.[45] Cutler did not announce his withdrawal but did say that he was a "realist" and acknowledged that any victory by him would be a "long shot". He said that his supporters should "vote their consciences", whether that be for LePage or Michaud. Cutler went on to say that he would not withdraw to "kowtow to party politics and allow a bunch of political polls to drown out the voices of thousands of Mainers who believe that standing for principles, ideals and ideas makes you an American, not a spoiler." However, his announcement was seen by many as "an acknowledgement that [his] campaign is over."[46][47][48] Cutler also encouraged Maine voters to support a proposed citizen initiative to implement ranked choice voting.[46]

Immediately after his press conference, a group of former Cutler supporters reiterated their backing of Michaud, saying that "the right thing now is to unite behind Mike Michaud."[49] Shortly after, Angus King announced that he was switching his endorsement from Cutler to Michaud, explaining: "it is clear that the voters of Maine are not prepared to elect Eliot... The good news is that we still have a chance to elect a governor who will represent the majority of Maine people: my friend and colleague, Mike Michaud."[50][51] Cutler stated that he was "obviously disappointed" by King's change.[52]

Debates

The Michaud campaign stated on July 30 that Michaud would only participate in debates where LePage is present and not attend ones where Cutler is the only other participant, because: "we are running against Paul LePage, he's who we are looking to unseat". The LePage campaign has said they will schedule debates around the Governor's work schedule and priorities and declined to participate in a debate in the Lewiston/Auburn area in September. Cutler criticized both men as "cowards" and said that they wanted voters to make their decision "on the basis of a cascade of negative television ads bought by outside special interests". Michaud's campaign responded that at least four debates have been scheduled so far.[53]

Despite Michaud's position on debates, he did appear at a forum on September 12 to discuss energy policy topics with only Cutler, after LePage abruptly withdrew from participating, citing what he called a change in the format of the event. The LePage campaign stated that they had thought each candidate would appear on stage separately, but learned the day of the event that the candidates would share a stage. LePage said: "If you set up a format, you've got to stick to that format" and his campaign said event organizers "attempted to arrange a setting to put politics ahead of public policy". They denied the withdrawal was politically motivated to force Michaud to debate Cutler.[54] Both the Michaud and Cutler campaigns stated they were aware of the format. Cutler offered to leave the stage while LePage spoke, but that did not change LePage's mind. Event organizers stated "there was no intent to place politics before policy" and that the issue distracted from their efforts to discuss energy policy.[55]

LePage told WMTW Channel 8 on September 22 that he was considering not participating in any debates with Michaud,[56] though he was still willing to debate Cutler alone.[57] He said he did not want to share a stage with Michaud due to his not having criticized a TV advertisement by a liberal PAC publicizing a press release where LePage called Social Security "welfare, pure and simple," which LePage later stated was not what he meant. LePage said that he used to respect Michaud but called the lack of criticism "sad". Michaud responded by issuing a statement saying that LePage was looking for an excuse to avoid debates and that he should instead use them "to set the record straight and explain why he said in a press release that Social Security is 'welfare' and why Maine's economy hasn't recovered as quickly as the rest of the country." Michaud went on to state that "It's not a gubernatorial debate without the Governor."[57] Cutler issued a statement that both the other men should "stop playing games".[57] Michaud stated the following day at a press conference that he would attend the six debates that his campaign agreed to, regardless of what LePage does. He stated that he expected LePage would attend once his "temper tantrum" was over.[58]

LePage announced on September 28 that he would participate in five debates, saying "This decision has come after much reflection over the past week on the value in debating Congressman Michael Michaud, who has continually been dishonest with the Maine people about Governor LePage's stance on Social Security", and saying he wanted to set the record straight.[59]

Endorsements

Paul LePage

Politicians

Organizations

Mike Michaud

Politicians

Individuals

Unions

  • AFL–CIO[88]
  • American Maritime Officers[89]
  • International Alliance for Theatrical Stage Employees[88]
  • International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Local S-6[90]
  • International Union for Painters and Allied Trades[88]
  • Maine Association of Police[91]
  • Maine Credit Union League[92]
  • Maine Education Association[93]
  • Maine State Employees Union Local 1989[88]
  • Maine State Troopers Association[94]
  • Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association[89]
  • Masters, Mates & Pilots Union[89]
  • Northern New England Laborers[95]
  • Professional Fire Fighters of Maine[91]
  • Seafarers International Union[89]
  • Teamsters Local 340[96]
  • United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry[95]
  • United Auto Workers Union[88]
  • United Food and Commercial Workers[95]
  • United Steelworkers[97]

Organizations

Eliot Cutler

Politicians

Individuals

Organizations

  • Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence[118]

Newspapers

Declined to endorse

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[124] Tossup November 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal Ball[125] Lean D (flip) November 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political Report[126] Tossup November 3, 2014
Real Clear Politics[127] Tossup November 3, 2014
Close

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 Mike
Michaud (D)		 Eliot
Cutler (I)		 Other Undecided
Maine People's Resource Center[128] October 31–November 2, 2014 906 ± 3.25% 44% 45% 9% — 2%
Bangor Daily News/Ipsos[129] October 23–29, 2014 488 ± 5.1% 42% 42% 13% — 2%
46% 48% — 2% 3%
40% — 53% 4% 3%
Magellan Strategies[130] October 22–23, 2014 869 ± 3.32% 42% 42% 13% 1% 2%
Public Policy Polling[131] October 22–23, 2014 660 ± 3.6% 40% 40% 17% — 3%
44% 49% — — 7%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[132] October 16–23, 2014 1,177 ± 5% 35% 37% 7% 0% 21%
Pan Atlantic/SMS Group[133] October 15–21, 2014 400 ± 4.9% 40% 40% 13% — 7%
44% 49% — — 8%
University of New Hampshire[134] October 15–21, 2014 639 ± 3.8% 45% 35% 16% — 4%
641 50% 43% — — 6%
625 48% — 47% — 5%
Bangor Daily News/Ipsos[135] October 6–12, 2014
540 LV ± 4.8% 36% 42% 16% 1% 5%
41% 50% — 3% 6%
38% — 49% 6% 7%
903 RV ± 3.7% 30% 43% 19% 1% 6%
35% 52% — 5% 7%
32% — 50% 8% 8%
Rasmussen Reports[136] October 7–9, 2014 930 ± 3% 41% 40% 16% 1% 3%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner[137] October 5–7, 2014 605 ± 4% 39% 43% 15% — 3%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[138] September 20–October 1, 2014 1,531 ± 3% 37% 39% 10% 0% 13%
Critical Insights[139] September 24–30, 2014 606 ± 4% 39% 36% 21% — 4%
Pan Atlantic/SMS Group[140] September 23–29, 2014 400 ± 4.9% 39% 34% 20% — 8%
46% 47% — — 7%
University of New Hampshire[141] September 18–25, 2014 482 ± 4.4% 38% 40% 12% — 10%
44% 50% — — 6%
41% — 52% — 7%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner[137] September 21–23, 2014 605 ± 4% 38% 44% 15% — 3%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner[137] September 7–10, 2014 900 ± 3.3% 40% 42% 15% — 3%
Public Policy Polling[142] September 8–9, 2014 1,059 ± 3% 42% 43% 11% — 3%
46% 50% — — 4%
Rasmussen Reports[136] September 3–4, 2014 750 ± 4% 39% 43% 15% — 4%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[143] August 18–September 2, 2014 1,202 ± 4% 38% 37% 10% 0% 14%
Maine People's Resource Center[144] July 26–28, 2014 796 ± 3.47% 41% 43% 13% — 4%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov[145] July 5–24, 2014 1,353 ± 2.7% 38% 52% — 5% 4%
Normington Petts[146] July 14–16, 2014 600 ± 4% 37% 41% 13% — 9%
University of New Hampshire[147] June 12–18, 2014 527 ± 4.3% 36% 40% 15% 2% 7%
44% 51% — — 4%
38% — 50% 3% 9%
Public Policy Polling[148] May 5–6, 2014 754 ± ? 39% 43% 15% — 3%
Rasmussen Reports[136] April 23–25, 2014 830 ± 3% 40% 40% 14% 1% 5%
Critical Insights[149] April 16–23, 2014 601 ± 4% 36% 37% 18% — 8%
Pan Atlantic/SMS Group[150] March 31–April 5, 2014 400 ± 4.9% 39% 37% 20% — 4%
Public Policy Polling[151] April 1–2, 2014 583 ± 3.5% 37% 44% 14% — 5%
Normington Petts[152] March 3–6, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 35% 39% 16% <1% 9%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner[153] January 13–23, 2014 400 ± 4.9% 32% 45% 18% — 5%
Pan Atlantic SMS[11] November 25–30, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 36% 37% 18% — 9%
Public Policy Polling[154] November 8–11, 2013 964 ± 3.2% 36% 38% 15% — 10%
39% 53% — — 8%
38% — 49% — 13%
Critical Insights[155] September 27–30, 2013 600 ± 4% 30% 33% 24% — 14%
Maine People's Resource Center[156] September 8–10, 2013 652 ± 3.84% 34% 40% 17% — 9%
36% 56% — — 8%
Public Policy Polling[157] August 23–25, 2013 953 ± 3.2% 35% 39% 18% — 9%
39% 54% — — 7%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner[158] July 11–16, 2013 400 ± 4.9% 31% 40% 26% — 3%
34% 61% — — 3%
Clarity Campaigns[159] June 22–24, 2013 628 ± 3.72% 32% 32% 24% — 12%
Pan Atlantic SMS[23] March 11–16, 2013 403 ± 4.9% 34% 23% 26% — 18%
35% — 42%[160] 8% 15%
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 1,268 ± 2.8% 34% 30% 26% — 10%
36% 57% — — 9%
41% — 49% — 10%
Close
Hypothetical polling

Two-way races

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 John
Baldacci (D)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 1,268 ± 2.8% 38% 53% — 9%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 Chellie
Pingree (D)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 1,268 ± 2.8% 40% 53% — 7%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 Democratic
opponent (D)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[161] November 1–2, 2012 1,633 ± 2.4% 41% 49% — 10%
Public Policy Polling[162] September 17–18, 2012 804 ± 3.5% 40% 48% — 12%
Close

Three-way races

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 John
Baldacci (D)		 Eliot
Cutler (I)		 Other Undecided
Pan Atlantic SMS[23] March 11–16, 2013 403 ± 4.9% 37% 21% 27% — 15%
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 1,268 ± 2.8% 36% 27% 29% — 8%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 Janet
Mills (D)		 Eliot
Cutler (I)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 1,268 ± 2.8% 37% 19% 32% — 12%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 Chellie
Pingree (D)		 Eliot
Cutler (I)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 1,268 ± 2.8% 37% 31% 23% — 9%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 Ethan
Strimling (D)		 Eliot
Cutler (I)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[24] January 18–20, 2013 1,268 ± 2.8% 37% 15% 32% — 16%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Paul
LePage (R)		 Democratic
opponent (D)		 Eliot
Cutler (I)		 None of
the above		 Undecided
Critical Insights[163] May 1–7, 2013 600 ± 4% 30% 16% 28% 4% 21%
Close

Results

County Flips:
Democratic
  Flip
More information Party, Candidate ...
Maine gubernatorial election, 2014[164]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul LePage (incumbent) 294,533 48.18% +10.62%
Democratic Mike Michaud 265,125 43.37% +24.53%
Independent Eliot Cutler 51,518 8.43% −27.45%
Write-in 79 0.01% N/A
Total votes 611,255 100.00% N/A
Republican hold
Close

Results by county

More information County, Paul LePage Republican ...
County Paul LePage
Republican		 Michael Michaud
Democratic		 Eliot Cutler
Independent		 Various candidates
Other parties		 Margin Total votes cast
# % # % # % # % # %
Androscoggin 25,987 56.6% 16,376 35.7% 3,556 7.7% 1 0.01% 9,611 20.9% 45,920
Aroostook 13,725 47.6% 12,398 43.0% 2,727 9.5% 6 0.01% 1,327 4.6% 28,856
Cumberland 55,932 39.7% 72,217 51.2% 12,836 9.1% 22 0.01% -16,285 -11.5% 141,007
Franklin 7,591 53.2% 5,426 38.0% 1,241 8.7% 7 0.01% 2,165 15.2% 14,265
Hancock 12,016 45.7% 12,007 45.7% 2,268 8.6% 3 0.01% 9 0.0% 26,294
Kennebec 28,343 50.0% 24,130 42.5% 4,243 7.5% 8 0.01% 4,213 7.5% 56,724
Knox 8,425 44.6% 8,911 47.2% 1,555 8.2% 0 0.0% -486 -2.6% 18,891
Lincoln 9,157 50.5% 7,633 42.1% 1,351 7.4% 0 0.0% 1,524 8.4% 18,141
Oxford 14,902 56.4% 9,269 35.1% 2,226 8.4% 3 0.01% 5,633 21.3% 26,400
Penobscot 33,197 51.8% 26,220 40.9% 4,713 7.3% 0 0.0% 6,977 10.9% 64,130
Piscataquis 4,736 57.9% 2,810 34.4% 631 7.7% 2 0.01% 1,926 23.5% 8,179
Sagadahoc 8,760 47.2% 8,264 44.5% 1,550 8.3% 3 0.01% 496 2.7% 18,577
Somerset 12,194 54.9% 8,422 37.9% 1,586 7.1% 1 0.01% 3,772 17.0% 22,203
Waldo 8,862 48.0% 8,167 44.2% 1,440 7.8% 6 0.01% 695 3.8% 18,475
Washington 7,390 52.8% 5,452 38.9% 1,157 8.3% 3 0.01% 1,938 13.9% 14,002
York 43,055 48.7% 36,905 41.8% 8,361 9.5% 14 0.01% 6,150 6.9% 88,335
Totals294,53348.2%265,12543.4%51,5188.4%790.01%29,4084.8%611,255
Close

Counties that flipped from Independent to Democratic

Counties that flipped from Independent to Republican

By congressional district

LePage and Michaud each won one of two congressional districts.[165] Michaud won the first congressional district, but lost the second, which he had represented in Congress since 2003.

More information District, LePage ...
District LePage Michaud Representative
1st 44% 47% Chellie Pingree
2nd 52% 40% Mike Michaud (113th Congress)
Bruce Poliquin (114th Congress)
Close

See also

References

External links

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