ME-SEN: LePage not running

[Horsemask]

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/politics/gov-lepage-will-not-enter-race-for-us-senate-in-2018-advisor-says/438664792

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Thoughts?

[Figueira]

Doesn't really matter I guess, since no Republican was going to beat King.

[Horsemask]

Doesn't really matter I guess, since no Republican was going to beat King.

The only way I saw it happening was if Democrats fielded a strongish candidate who took some of the vote away from King.

See it as less likely now, unless there is a major upset in the works.

[NewYorkExpress]

Safe I, now... LePage was the only Republican who stood a reasonable chance of beating King, and Democrats aren't going to run a serious candidate here.

[Xing]

LePage wouldn't have beaten King anyway, but I'm glad he's not running for another office. Safe D/I.

[Coolface Sock #42069]

I guess he finally figured out he couldn't win.

[Nyvin]

Safe I, now... LePage was the only Republican who stood a reasonable chance of beating King, and Democrats aren't going to run a serious candidate here.

No,  King would've clobbered the crap out of LePage in the general election.

[Skye]

He would have lost to King, but I'm sad since it would have been a fun election to watch, especially under a Trump administration.

[Figueira]

I'm calling it likely D (D caucus) just because of the off-chance of a surprise retirement from King.

[BuckeyeNut]

Remember, Maine implemented rank choice voting, so that might be a factor. LePage must also be sensing a sh**t cycle ahead. Hopefully, Dems can take back the 2nd.

[smoltchanov]

Doesn't really matter I guess, since no Republican was going to beat King.

+1

[peterthlee]

Strategically good for him, as King will trample Republicans in landslides, especially with instant runoff voting.
He chose not to be humiliated by King.

[Suburbia]

Safe D/I. LePage would have given Sen. King a competitive race for a couple of months, but by October 2018, King would have ran away in the polling by 10-15 points.

LePage could run for Collins' seat in 2020.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Apparently Brakey (the apparent Republican nominee now?) had a long conversation with LePage yesterday on the phone where they promised to work together

[MAINEiac4434]

Coward.

[Horsemask]

Apparently Brakey (the apparent Republican nominee now?) had a long conversation with LePage yesterday on the phone where they promised to work together

Brakey's the only declared candidate for the GOP, but unless LePage immediately endorses him I doubt he remains the only one in the race.

[RINO Tom]

Oh, thank God.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Apparently Brakey (the apparent Republican nominee now?) had a long conversation with LePage yesterday on the phone where they promised to work together

Brakey's the only declared candidate for the GOP, but unless LePage immediately endorses him I doubt he remains the only one in the race.

based on what was said here: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/10/paul-lepage-maine-senate-238244 It sounds like he has LePage's support.

[MAINEiac4434]

So we have Josh Mandel's younger brother for senate against Angus.

Cool, GOP. Good to know you're punting on this election.

[Horsemask]

Apparently Brakey (the apparent Republican nominee now?) had a long conversation with LePage yesterday on the phone where they promised to work together

Brakey's the only declared candidate for the GOP, but unless LePage immediately endorses him I doubt he remains the only one in the race.

based on what was said here: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/10/paul-lepage-maine-senate-238244 It sounds like he has LePage's support.

Even then, unless it is a full public endorsement, I think the primary will be contested.

I seriously hope so, because if that's the case and if Collins runs for Governor, then we are gonna have 2 boring GOP primaries.

[MT Treasurer]

You're back in Maine now, Horsemask? Congrats!

Who do you think will be the GOP nominee for governor if Collins doesn't run? It's probably the only winnable race for Rs. I'd rate the Senate race Likely D for now since I believe that this is the only Clinton state where the GOP doesn't have less than zero chance of flipping a Senate seat, but I'd be shocked if King lost.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

I would not suggest underestimating Brakey

[Horsemask]

You're back in Maine now, Horsemask? Congrats!

Who do you think will be the GOP nominee for governor if Collins doesn't run? It's probably the only winnable race for Rs. I'd rate the Senate race Likely D for now since I believe that this is the only Clinton state where the GOP doesn't have less than zero chance of flipping a Senate seat, but I'd be shocked if King lost.

I am! Thank you! Happy to be back -- the last year has been crazy!

Names that come to mind immediately would be either Poliquin or Thibodeau. I believe Thibodeau has already said he won't run but if Collins doesn't run, perhaps he re-evaluates things. I hate to quote directly from the Wiki page but Rick Bennett also would be an interesting candidacy. His tenure as GOP Chair was successful and I know a lot of Republicans that hold him in high regard. If I had to put money on it today though, I'd say Poliquin. He has already tried running for Governor once, and I'd be shocked if he didn't try again.

I believe we've talked about this before, but I really like King and hope he wins re-election.

I would not suggest underestimating Brakey

That's not my intention! His libertarian streak would resonate with a lot of people up here. He was involved in the Ron Paul and Rand Paul campaigns. I bet he has a future...but again, unless there's a major upset in the works, I don't see him beating King.

[Horsemask]

The Maine Supreme Court has ruled Ranked Choice Voting conflicts with the Maine Constitution.

Here is a link to the ruling.

http://www.courts.maine.gov/opinions_orders/supreme/lawcourt/2017/17me100.pdf

[MT Treasurer]

The Maine Supreme Court has ruled Ranked Choice Voting conflicts with the Maine Constitution.

Here is a link to the ruling.

http://www.courts.maine.gov/opinions_orders/supreme/lawcourt/2017/17me100.pdf

Probably good news for Republicans when it comes to the gubernatorial race.