ME-Gov 2018

[Horsemask]

I didn't see a thread, so I figured I'd start one?

Anyway LePage is term-limited and likely running for Senate against Angus King, Wikipedia lists potential candidates as follows:

GOP
Susan Collins: U.S. Senator (1997-present)
Mary Mayhew: Maine Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner (2011-present)
Bruce Poliquin: U.S. Rep. (ME-02) (2015-present)
Michael Thibodeau: Maine State Senator (2010-present), Senate President (2014-present)

Democrats
Justin Alfond: State Senator (2008-2017), former Senate President
Matthew Dunlap: Maine Secretary of State (2005-2011 and 2013-present)
Mark Eves: State Representative, speaker of Maine House of Representatives (2012-2016/7)
Mike Michaud: Former U.S. Rep. (ME-02), Dem. nominee for Gov. 2014
Janet Mills: Maine Attorney General (2009-2011 and 2013-present)

[Horsemask]

Stephen King should run

There are people trying to draft him, but he's adamant in not running.

[Figueira]

My feeling is that this is a Democratic pickup unless Collins runs, but I don't know much about the inner workings of Maine politics. What are the chances that she runs?

Also I don't see why Poliquin would give up a somewhat comfortable (though not safe) seat in the House for a gubernatorial election that's a tossup at best.

[Horsemask]

My feeling is that this is a Democratic pickup unless Collins runs, but I don't know much about the inner workings of Maine politics. What are the chances that she runs?

Also I don't see why Poliquin would give up a somewhat comfortable (though not safe) seat in the House for a gubernatorial election that's a tossup at best.

I'm a little out of the loop on things now that I live in NH, but I think the feeling is that Collins is unlikely to run, though it is not out of the question. I'd probably put it at 10% currently.

Poliquin was a candidate in 2010 and lost in a diverse primary that included LePage, so he has tried before and may still be interested in it.

[Horsemask]

IIRC, there is some speculation that State Sen. Ben Chipman, who recently switched to the Democrats (he was a Green before), might run for Governor. His main claim to fame is his vocal support for LePage's impeachment.

Chipman won a State Senate seat back on Election Day, in fact it was Justin Alfond's seat. Alfond had endorsed him to be his successor.

[mds32]

I didn't see a thread, so I figured I'd start one?

Anyway LePage is term-limited and likely running for Senate against Angus King, Wikipedia lists potential candidates as follows:

GOP
Susan Collins: U.S. Senator (1997-present)
Mary Mayhew: Maine Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner (2011-present)
Bruce Poliquin: U.S. Rep. (ME-02) (2015-present)
Michael Thibodeau: Maine State Senator (2010-present), Senate President (2014-present)

Democrats
Justin Alfond: State Senator (2008-2017), former Senate President
Matthew Dunlap: Maine Secretary of State (2005-2011 and 2013-present)
Mark Eves: State Representative, speaker of Maine House of Representatives (2012-2016/7)
Mike Michaud: Former U.S. Rep. (ME-02), Dem. nominee for Gov. 2014
Janet Mills: Maine Attorney General (2009-2011 and 2013-present)

The GOP candidates here are A and B candidates. The Democrats have mainly B candidates, I would say Janet Mills might be their best shot here.

[Figueira]

What about Hannah Pingree?

[publicunofficial]

I'd argue this is probably Dem's 2nd best pick-up opportunity, after New Mexico.

[Figueira]

I'd argue this is probably Dem's 2nd best pick-up opportunity, after New Mexico.

Agreed, although Michigan, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Nevada have to be up there.

[Young Conservative]

I doubt Collins will run, but Poliquin might. Either is electable. Collins would defeat anyone though.

[Young Conservative]

I doubt Collins will run, but Poliquin might. Either is electable. Collins would defeat anyone though.

[Xing]

I'd be shocked if Collins decided to run. It seems Poliquin is probably the most likely Republican, and while he'd make a race out of it, I think he'd be a modest underdog, unless the Democrats went with someone quite weak.

[Horsemask]

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/politics/early-rumors-for-next-maine-governor-in-2018/355432475

Some more candidates speculated in the above video, including one that should've probably been on the initial post in Troy Jackson. Was a heavy supporter of Sanders during the 2016 primary, and he has just been elected to lead the Democrats in the State Senate.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

This will be a Democratic pickup along with NH, NM, IL, WI, MI and NV

[mds32]

If Sununu does nothing wrong NH will state with the GOP

[Young Conservative]

Poliquin can win this.

[Maxwell]

Poliquin can win this.

The question is does Poliquin really want to risk his safe Congressional seat for something that will be basically an even fight?

Unless of course Democrats somehow nominate total loser Emily Cain AGAIN for Governor, in which case Poliquin would be a 100% safe pick.

[Horsemask]

Poliquin can win this.

The question is does Poliquin really want to risk his safe Congressional seat for something that will be basically an even fight?

Unless of course Democrats somehow nominate total loser Emily Cain AGAIN for Governor, in which case Poliquin would be a 100% safe pick.

Cain's political future should be over. She's like the Martha Coakley of Maine.

[publicunofficial]

Poliquin can win this.

The question is does Poliquin really want to risk his safe Congressional seat for something that will be basically an even fight?

Unless of course Democrats somehow nominate total loser Emily Cain AGAIN for Governor, in which case Poliquin would be a 100% safe pick.

Cain's political future should be over. She's like the Martha Coakley of Maine.

"Female candidate loses two close races, both in R-favored years"

WOW WHAT A DISGRACE. MARTHA COAKLEY LMAO

Dems were never going to win ME-02 this year, not with Trump targeting it so heavily.

[Horsemask]

Poliquin can win this.

The question is does Poliquin really want to risk his safe Congressional seat for something that will be basically an even fight?

Unless of course Democrats somehow nominate total loser Emily Cain AGAIN for Governor, in which case Poliquin would be a 100% safe pick.

Cain's political future should be over. She's like the Martha Coakley of Maine.

"Female candidate loses two close races, both in R-favored years"

WOW WHAT A DISGRACE. MARTHA COAKLEY LMAO

Dems were never going to win ME-02 this year, not with Trump targeting it so heavily.

Evidently they weren't trying too hard when they chose to nominate Cain again. She's not a good candidate, doesn't fit in at all with Maine's 2nd district. Stop being so offended that she's Maine's Martha Coakley.

[Young Conservative]

This will be a Democratic pickup along with NH, NM, IL, WI, MI and NV

Has the 2016 election taught you nothing about making such definitive statements?

[libertpaulian]

If the GOP wants to achieve the perfect lock on Maine:

-Collins should run for Governor
-Poliquin should run for Senator
-LePage should run for Poliquin's seat.
 

[Maxwell]

Poliquin can win this.

The question is does Poliquin really want to risk his safe Congressional seat for something that will be basically an even fight?

Unless of course Democrats somehow nominate total loser Emily Cain AGAIN for Governor, in which case Poliquin would be a 100% safe pick.

Cain's political future should be over. She's like the Martha Coakley of Maine.

"Female candidate loses two close races, both in R-favored years"

WOW WHAT A DISGRACE. MARTHA COAKLEY LMAO

Dems were never going to win ME-02 this year, not with Trump targeting it so heavily.

Democrats could've nominated Troy Jackson in 2014 and we would've never heard of Poliquin. Cain was exactly the wrong kind of Democrat to run both times.

For the record I think Stewart Mills is a total loser who should never run again also - a Republican man.

[KingSweden]

Poliquin vs Pingree would get interesting.

In either case, I agree with everyone agreeing that Cain needs to be done. Troy Jackson can win ME-02 in 2018, likelier if it's an open seat

[Kingpoleon]

If the GOP wants to achieve the perfect lock on Maine:

-Collins should run for Governor
-Poliquin should run for Senator
-LePage should run for Poliquin's seat.
 

Kevin Raye, Garrett Mason, Peter Cianchette, or Kenneth Fredette could run for Poliquin's seat. Anyone just about would be better than LePage.