2010 Maine gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 2010 Maine gubernatorial election Maine presidential No 2006 Maine gubernatorial election 2006 November 2, 2010 2014 Maine gubernatorial election 150x150px 2014 Paul LePage (32997047882) (cropped) (cropped).jpg Paul LePage Republican Party (United States) 218,065 37.56% 280px County results 280px Municipality results LePage: #FFE0EA 20–30% #FFC8CD 30–40% #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #a80000 >90%Cutler: #E6E6E6 30–40% #D9D9D9 40–50% #BDBDBD 50–60% #969696 60–70% #737373 70–80% #555555 >90% Mitchell: #BDD3FF 30–40% #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% Tie: #d2b1d9 Governor John Baldacci Democratic Party (United States) Paul LePage Republican Party (United States) File:Eliot Cutler (cropped) (1).jpg Eliot Cutler Independent 208,270 35.88% Libby Mitchell Democratic Party (United States) 109,387 18.84% Shawn Moody Independent 28,756 4.95% The 2010 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010, to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Democratic Governor John Baldacci was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010. The candidates who appeared on the November ballot were Eliot Cutler (independent), Paul LePage (Republican), Libby Mitchell (Democratic), Shawn Moody (independent), and Kevin Scott (independent).http://www.pressherald.com/home/governor/The-day-after-Governors-race-takes-shape-.html The day after: Governor's race takes shape 9 June 2010 August 25, 2010 October 1, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111001062452/http://www.pressherald.com/home/governor/The-day-after-Governors-race-takes-shape-.html dead With 94% of precincts reporting on the day after the election, the Bangor Daily News declared LePage the winner, carrying 38.1% of the votes.BDN projects LePage to win governor's race http://new.bangordailynews.com/2010/11/03/politics/bdn-projects-lepage-wins-governors-race/ Bangor Daily News 3 November 2010 Miller, Kevin Wickenheiser, Matt 3 November 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101104132243/http://new.bangordailynews.com/2010/11/03/politics/bdn-projects-lepage-wins-governors-race/ 4 November 2010 Cutler was in second place with 36.7% of the votes (less than 7,500 votes behind LePage), while Mitchell was a distant third with 19%. Moody and Scott had 5% and 1%, respectively. Two days after the election, with 99% of precincts reporting, LePage's lead over Cutler had widened to more than 10,000 votes.Campaign 2010 – Maine Election Results http://maineelections.bangordailynews.com/ 5 November 2010 Bangor Daily News dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100612221401/http://maineelections.bangordailynews.com/ 12 June 2010 This election was the first since 1990 that Maine elected a Republican governor. Democratic primary Candidates On ballot Patrick K. McGowan, former state conservation commissionerAssociated Press McGowan joins Maine gubernatorial field Portland Press Herald 5 January 2010 5 January 2010 Former state Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan formally announced his candidacy today, making him the seventh Democrat seeking his party's nomination in June. http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/mcgowan-joins-maine-gubernatorial-field https://web.archive.org/web/20110714021811/http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/mcgowan-joins-maine-gubernatorial-field 14 July 2011 dead dmy-all Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell, president of the Maine Senate and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1984Susan Cover Elizabeth Mitchell files for governor's race Portland Press Herald 2009-08-11 12 August 2009 http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=276012&ac=PHnws https://archive.today/20130128160836/http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=276012&ac=PHnws dead 2013-01-28 Steven Rowe, former Maine attorney general and former state representativeMatthew Gagnon Steve Rowe Running For Governor Pine Tree Politics 8 December 2008 12 August 2009 http://www.pinetreepolitics.com/?p=229 https://web.archive.org/web/20090428161359/http://www.pinetreepolitics.com/?p=229 28 April 2009 dead dmy-all http://www.roweforgovernor.com/ Rowe For Governor (official candidate website) August 12, 2009 November 22, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081122160119/http://www.roweforgovernor.com/ dead Rosa Scarcelli, business ownerMatt Wickenheiser Businesswoman launches Blaine House bid Portland Press Herald 20 July 2009 12 August 2009 http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/newsupdate.php?updates/businesswoman-launches-blaine-house-bid May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes http://www.rosaformaine.com/ Rosa Scarcelli, Democratic Candidate for Governor of Maine, 2010 (official candidate website) July 20, 2009 September 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100919113509/http://www.rosaformaine.com/ dead Write-in Donna Dion, former mayor of Biddeford.Cindy Williams Former Mayor Donna Dion Announced Run For Governor WCSH 22 July 2009 12 August 2009 http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=107343 May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/ Donna Dion For Governor 2010 (official candidate website) 2009-07-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20090813065940/http://donnajdionforgovernor2010.com/ 2009-08-13 dead Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures, but continued her campaign in the primary as a write-in candidate.Dennis Hoey Dione will run for governor as a write-in candidate Portland Press Herald 21 March 2010 22 March 2010 http://www.pressherald.com/news/Dion-will-run-for-governor-as-a-write-in-candidate.html Withdrawn Dawn Hill, state representative.Heather O'Bryan House Member Announces Run For Governor WCSH 1 July 2009 12 August 2009 http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=106570&catid=2 https://archive.today/20130209015356/http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=106570&catid=2 dead 9 February 2013 http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/ dawnhillforgovernor.com (official candidate website) 2009-08-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20090902113959/http://www.dawnhillforgovernor.com/ 2009-09-02 dead Hill withdrew from the race on January 1, 2010, citing the crowded field of candidates.http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100101-NEWS-100109992 "Rep. Hill drops out of Maine gov. race" – SeacoastOnline.com 2010-03-15 2012-09-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20120919153953/http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100101-NEWS-100109992 dead John G. Richardson, former commissioner of economic and community development and former speaker of the House. http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/109661.html 9 hopefuls for top job in Maine Bangor Daily News Kevin Miller May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Richardson to announce for governor David Hench Portland Press Herald 16 November 2009 http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=296507&ac=PHnws 16 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091208122045/http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=296507&ac=PHnws 8 December 2009 dead dmy-all Richardson withdrew from the race on April 26 amid allegations that some of his campaign workers had not followed proper procedures for collecting donations to qualify him for Maine Clean Election funding.Richardson withdrawing from governor's race Portland Press Herald, April 26, 2010 The primary ballots had already been printed before Richardson withdrew from the race, so Richardson's name appeared on the ballot even though he was no longer a candidate.Cover Susan Governor's Race: Independents can vote Tuesday, but they need to know the rules http://www.pressherald.com/news/independents-can-vote-tuesday-but-they-need-to-know-the-rules-_2010-06-07.html 7 June 2010 Portland Press Herald 7 June 2010 Democrat John Richardson pulled out in April after the ethics commission found problems with his application for Clean Election funds. But it was too late for the ballots, which had already gone to the printers. Peter Truman (also known as Peter Throumoulos), former state representative and convicted forger.Matt Wickenheiser Man once jailed for forgery seeks state office Portland Press Herald 10 September 2009 10 September 2009 A former state representative who was jailed two years ago for forging signatures on petitions for state Clean Election funds has filed papers to run for governor. Peter Truman of Old Orchard Beach, also known as Peter Throumoulos, plans to run as a Democrat. http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192&ac=PHnws https://archive.today/20120715064606/http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=282192&ac=PHnws dead 15 July 2012 Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures. Declined Tom Allen, former U.S. Representativehttp://mainepolitics.net/content/allen-discusses-election-future Allen Discusses Future Mainepolitics.net 2008-12-31 Brian Bolduc, state representativehttp://www.sunjournal.com/node/232596/ Auburn lawmaker decides against bid for governor SunJournal.com 2009-09-02 Polling Poll source Dates administered Mitchell Rowe Scarcelli McGowan UndecidedPan Atlantic SMS GroupPan Atlantic SMS Group May 21–29, 2010 13.3% 11.7% 7.0% 6.3% 61.7% Results thumb|280px|upright|Results by county #6674de Mitchell #bdd3ff 30–40% #a5b0ff 40–50% #ee8e50 Rowe #ffcca9 40–50% #37c837 McGowan #87de87 30–40% Democratic primary resultshttp://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/prior10-11.htm Maine Governor Primary Results Maine SOS June 8, 2010 August 9, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101118110254/http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/prior10-11.htm November 18, 2010 Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell Democratic Party (United States) 42,328 34.4 G. Steven Rowe Democratic Party (United States) 27,923 22.7 Rosa Scarcelli Democratic Party (United States) 26,444 21.5 Patrick K. McGowan Democratic Party (United States) 24,392 19.8 John Richardson Democratic Party (United States) 1,604 1.3 Write-in Democratic Party (United States) 236 0.3 122,927 100 At 11:32 p.m. EDT, WCSH declared Libby Mitchell the winner of the Democratic primary.http://www.wcsh6.com/news/breaking/story.aspx?storyid=118763&catid=112 Mitchell wins Democratic Primary WCSH 6 June 8, 2010 June 8, 2010May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Republican primary Candidates On ballot Steve Abbott, former chief of staff for Senator Susan Collinshttp://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story_pf.php?id=240937&ac=PHnws Does Abbott Have his Eye on Governors Job? PressHerald.com 2009-02-02 January 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Collins aide joins Maine gov's race http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/update-collins-aide-joins-maine-govs-race Portland Press Herald 12 January 2009 12 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20100115131054/http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/update-collins-aide-joins-maine-govs-race 15 January 2010 dead dmy-all William Beardsley, former president of Husson UniversityFormer Husson president to run for governor http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/former-husson-president-to-run-for-governor Portland Press Herald 12 January 2009 12 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110212152838/http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/former-husson-president-to-run-for-governor 12 February 2011 dead dmy-all http://billbeardsley.com/ Bill Beardsley: Governor For Maine (official candidate website) 2010-01-22 2019-06-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20190629160612/http://billbeardsley.com/ dead Matt Jacobson, president of Maine & Company, a private business attraction organization; former president of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroadhttp://www.mainepolitics.net/content/republican-announces-governor Republican Announces for Governor Mainepolitics.net 2009-02-26http://jacobsonforgovernor.com/ Matt Jacobson For Governor (official candidate website) 2009-08-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20090819114909/http://www.jacobsonforgovernor.com/ 2009-08-19 dead Paul LePage, mayor of Waterville and general manager of Marden's Surplus & Salvage store chainWaterville mayor files to run for governor http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/updates/waterville-mayor-files-to-run-for-governor Portland Press Herald 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090926133015/http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/updates/waterville-mayor-files-to-run-for-governor 26 September 2009 http://www.pinetreepolitics.com/2009/09/01/paul-lepage-gubernatorial-dark-horse/ Paul LePage – Gubernatorial Dark Horse? 2009-09-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20090912190633/http://www.pinetreepolitics.com/2009/09/01/paul-lepage-gubernatorial-dark-horse/ 2009-09-12 dead http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6865360.html Morning Sentinel, September 18, 2009 September 18, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090923224317/http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6865360.html September 23, 2009 dead mdy-all http://www.lepage2010.com/ Paul LePage for Governor 2010 (official campaign website) 2010-02-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20101226231723/http://www.lepage2010.com/ 2010-12-26 dead Peter Mills, state senator and candidate for governor in 2006Mills declares candidacy for governorMay 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes http://www.mainecampaignfinance.com/public/report_list.asp?TYPE=CAN&ID=4501&LIMIT=&YEAR=2010&LINK=OS https://archive.today/20130128163512/http://www.mainecampaignfinance.com/public/report_list.asp?TYPE=CAN&ID=4501&LIMIT=&YEAR=2010&LINK=OS dead 2013-01-28 Welcome to the Public Campaign Finance Page for the State of Maine Mainecampaignfinance.com 2010-08-21 Peter Mills for Governor of Maine (official candidate website) https://web.archive.org/web/20090808203820/http://www.millsformaine.com/ 2009-08-08 Les Otten, founder of American Skiing Company and former Boston Red Sox co-ownerLes Otten for Governor (official candidate website) https://web.archive.org/web/20090703010621/http://lesotten.com/ 2009-07-03 http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=106511&catid=2 Portland, ME | Race For Governor Already Taking Shape WCSH6.com 2010-01-04 2010-08-21 May 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes Bruce Poliquin, business owner/manager and economisthttp://www.bruceforme.com/ Bruce Poliquin for Maine Governor (official candidate website) July 10, 2009 March 17, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100317082907/http://www.bruceforme.com/ dead http://www.timesrecord.com/articles/2009/07/20/news/doc4a649cbac9072013796179.txt > Archives > News > Poliquin jumps to early cash lead The Times Record 2009-07-20 2010-08-21 May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Declined Peter Cianchette, United States ambassador to Costa Rica and 2002 Republican nominee for governorCianchette insists he won't run for governorMay 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Kevin Raye, State Senate minority leaderhttp://www.pinetreepolitics.com/2009/11/10/kevin-raye-will-not-run-for-governor/ Kevin Raye Will Not Run For Governor Pine Tree Politics 2009-11-10 2010-08-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20110104073104/http://www.pinetreepolitics.com/2009/11/10/kevin-raye-will-not-run-for-governor/ 2011-01-04 dead Josh Tardy, State House minority leaderhttp://www.abbottforgovernor.com/josh-tardy Josh Tardy Abbott for Governor 2010-08-21 January 19, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100119063157/http://www.abbottforgovernor.com/josh-tardy dead Polling Poll source Dates administered Otten LePage Mills Abbott Beardsley Poliquin Jacobson UndecidedMECPOMECPONote: Poll paid for by Mills Campaign May 22-June 2, 2010 17.0% 10.7% 22.1% 13.9% 5.9% 4.9% 1.4% 24.0%Pan Atlantic SMS Group May 21–29, 2010 17.0% 10.3% 8.4% 8.3% 3.6% 3.3% 2.0% 47.0% Results 280px|thumb|upright|Results by county #E27F7F LePage #FFE0EA 20–30% #FFC8CD 30–40% #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #FF9A50 Otten #FFCCA9 30–40% #47CC9D Beardsley #B4FFE5 30–40% Republican primary results Paul LePage Republican Party (United States) 49,126 37.4 Les Otten Republican Party (United States) 22,945 17.4 Peter Mills Republican Party (United States) 19,271 14.7 Steve Abbott Republican Party (United States) 17,209 13.1 William "Bill" Beardsley Republican Party (United States) 12,061 9.2 Bruce Poliquin Republican Party (United States) 6,471 4.9 Matt Jacobson Republican Party (United States) 4,324 3.3 131,407 100 At 11:19 p.m. EDT, WCSH declared Paul LePage the winner of the GOP primary.http://www.wcsh6.com/news/breaking/story.aspx?storyid=118762&catid=112 LePage projected to win Maine GOP primary WCSH 6 June 8, 2010 June 8, 2010May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Independents Candidates on the ballot Eliot Cutler, attorney, former staff member for U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie, and former adviser to President Jimmy CarterKen Christian Cutler To Run For Governor As Independent WCSH August 24, 2009 August 24, 2009 http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=108444&catid=2 April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes http://www.cutler2010.com/ Cutler 2010 (official candidate website) 2009-08-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20090902091023/http://www.cutler2010.com/ 2009-09-02 dead Shawn Moody, business ownerTwo Independent Gubernatorial Candidates Qualify for Maine Ballot MBPN April 23, 2010 http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3483/ItemId/11890/Default.aspx dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110614133153/http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3483/ItemId/11890/Default.aspx June 14, 2011 http://www.moodygov.com/ Shawn Moody for Governor of Maine (official candidate website) 2010-06-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20100806122915/http://www.moodygov.com/ 2010-08-06 dead Kevin L. Scott, business ownerWilensky-Lanford Ethan Scott envisions role as 'a citizen governor' http://www.pressherald.com/news/Profile-Scott-envisions-role-as-a-citizen-governor-.html May 27, 2010 Portland Press Herald May 27, 2010http://www.mainesbestchoice.com/ Kevin L. Scott: Maine Governor 2010 (official candidate website) 2010-03-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20110208121756/http://www.mainesbestchoice.com/ 2011-02-08 dead Write-in candidates Beverly Cooper-PeteWaterville mayor files to run for governor http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/updates/waterville-mayor-files-to-run-for-governor Portland Press Herald Beverly Cooper-Pete of Portland also filed Tuesday as an unenrolled candidate. 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090926133015/http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/updates/waterville-mayor-files-to-run-for-governor 26 September 2009 Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures, but continued her campaign as a write-in candidate.Wickenheiser Matt Maine gubernatorial candidates put the focus on homeless http://www.pressherald.com/news/candidates-put-the-focus-on-homeless_2010-09-15.html 15 September 2010 Portland Press Herald 15 September 2010 The candidates who attended were Democrat Libby Mitchell and independent Shawn Moody, along with write-in candidates Beverly Cooper-Pete and Ed Braley ... John Jenkins, former state senator, former mayor of both Auburn and Lewiston, and 2002 gubernatorial candidate.http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/899470 Jenkins' campaign hinges on Web friends Tice Lindsay Lewiston Sun Journal August 26, 2010 August 27, 2010 Jenkins, who won his most recent mayoral campaign by write-in, declared he would run for governor of Maine if 5,000 people followed his Facebook fan pageDraft John Jenkins to be Maine Governor in 2010 Facebook Fan Page. August 26, 2010. within 45 days. Disqualified candidates Alex Hammer, business owner and self-published author.Alex Hammer for Maine Governor (official candidate website) Did not appear on the ballot due to not meeting the deadline for turning in petition signatures. Hammer attempted to turn in some of the signatures electronically, but the secretary of state ruled that such methods were not allowed. Hammer filed suit to appear on the ballot in Penobscot County Superior Court on June 28, 2010.http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/147466.html https://archive.today/20120720233242/http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/147466.html dead July 20, 2012 Blaine House candidate sues over denied petitions Kevin Miller Bangor Daily News June 29, 2010 July 1, 2010 http://www.mainebiz.biz/news46535.html Gov. candidate Hammer sues Sec. of State | Mainebiz Mainebiz.biz 2010-08-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20100820053604/http://www.mainebiz.biz/news46535.html 2010-08-20 dead On September 28, 2010, the judge upheld the secretary of state's decision.Associated Press Judge: state correct in rejecting candidate's signatures http://www.pressherald.com/news/maine-governor-race-alex-hammer-signatures-rejected.html 29 September 2010 Portland Press Herald Withdrawn Samme Bailey.http://www.joinsamme.com/ Sam Bailey: Governor 2010 (official candidate website) 2009-08-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20090609141524/http://joinsamme.com/ 2009-06-09 dead Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures.Cover Susan Three unenrolled candidates qualify for governor's race http://www.pressherald.com/news/three-unenrolled-candidates-qualify-for-governors-race_2010-06-02.html 2 June 2010 Portland Press Herald 2 June 2010 Augustus Edgerton. Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures. Michael Heath, former leader of the Christian Civic League of Maine (now known as the Maine Family Policy Council).Kennebec Journal Gay-rights foe running for Maine governor Portland Press Herald 14 April 2010 14 April 2010 http://www.pressherald.com/news/gay-rights-foe-running-for-governor_2010-04-14.html Withdrew from the race due to lack of petition signatures.Associated Press Heath decides against running for gov Portland Press Herald 14 April 2010 14 April 2010 http://www.pressherald.com/news/Heath-decides-against-running-for-gov.html John Whitcomb. Did not appear on the ballot due to lack of petition signatures. Maine Green Independent Party The Maine Green Independent Party did not have a gubernatorial candidate on the ballot, as no candidate collected the required number of signatures.http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/falling-short-on-signatures-williams-exits_2010-03-15.html Falling short on signatures, Williams exits The Morning Sentinel March 16, 2010 Susan M. Cover dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101113144331/http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/falling-short-on-signatures-williams-exits_2010-03-15.html November 13, 2010 Withdrawn Patrick Quinlan, political activist, author, and lone legislative aide of Maine Green Independent Party caucus in state House of Representatives for 2004 and 2005; former campaign manager and consultant for Green state representative John Eder Lynne Williams, attorney and former state chair of the Maine Green Independent Party.http://bangornews.com/detail/94921.html Maine Green party chairwoman to run for governor Bangor Daily News 2008-12-30 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090214180737/http://bangornews.com/detail/94921.html 2009-02-14 Lynne Williams for Governor 2010 (official candidate website) On March 15, 2010, she announced her withdrawal from the campaign, citing a lack of clean elections funds and qualifying signatures.Green candidate drops out of governor's race https://web.archive.org/web/20100323031827/http://www.pressherald.com/news/Williams-drops-out-of-governors-race.html 2010-03-23 March 15, 2010, Portland Press Herald General election Predictions Source Ranking As of Cook Political Reporthttp://cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-10-14_12-35-09.php https://web.archive.org/web/20101028141343/http://cookpolitical.com/charts/governors/raceratings_2010-10-14_12-35-09.php dead October 28, 2010 2010 Governors Race Ratings Cook Political Report October 28, 2010 Tossup October 14, 2010 Rothenberghttp://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2010-gubernatorial-ratings-october-28-2010 Governor Ratings Rothenberg Political Report October 28, 2010 Tilt R Flip October 28, 2010 RealClearPoliticshttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/governor/2010_elections_governor_map.html 2010 Governor Races RealClearPolitics October 28, 2010 Likely R Flip November 1, 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ballhttp://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2010102801/ THE CRYSTAL BALL'S FINAL CALLS 28 October 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ball October 28, 2010 Lean R Flip October 28, 2010 CQ Politicshttp://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-governor Race Ratings Chart: Governor CQ Politics October 28, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101005231611/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-governor October 5, 2010 Lean D October 28, 2010 Polling Poll source Date(s) administered Samplesize Margin oferror Paul LePage (R) Libby Mitchell (D) Eliot Cutler (I) Shawn Moody (I) Kevin Scott (I) UndecidedMPRC/Down East MagazineMaine Blog: The-tipping-point 2010 October - LePage Leads in Down East/MPRC Poll - by Mike Tipping http://www.downeast.com/the-tipping-point/2010/october/lepage-leads-down-east https://web.archive.org/web/20101108140830/http://www.downeast.com/the-tipping-point/2010/october/lepage-leads-down-east 2010-11-08 2026-02-16 www.downeast.com en-US October 28–30, 2010 546 ± 4.19% 39% 24% 29% 4% 1% 2%Critical Insights/MaineToday MediaLePage has commanding lead, new poll shows The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram http://www.pressherald.com/news/LePage-has-commanding-lead-new-poll-shows.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140122115442/http://www.pressherald.com/news/LePage-has-commanding-lead-new-poll-shows.html 2014-01-22 2026-02-16 www.pressherald.com October 27–28, 2010 621 ± 4% 40% 21% 21% 4% 1% 11%Pan Atlantic SMSPan Atlantic SMS October 25–28, 2010 400 ± 4.9% 38.6% 21.8% 30.6% 2.8% 1.1% 7.3%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 26–28, 2010 1,812 ± 2.3% 40% 24% 28% 4% 1% 2%Rasmussen ReportsElection 2010: Maine Governor https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/maine/election_2010_maine_governor 2026-02-16 www.rasmussenreports.com en October 26, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 40% 26% 26% - - 5%Critical InsightsCritical Insights October 13–17, 2010 600 ± 4% 32% 20% 19% 5% 1% 21%Pan Atlantic SMShttps://archive.today/20130209021311/http://www.wcsh6.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=132923&catid=2 Pan Atlantic SMS October 11–15, 2010 501 ± 4.4% 32.9% 28.0% 14.0% 4.6% 0.4% 20.2%Rasmussen Reports October 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 35% 32% 21% * * 6%Critical Insights/MaineToday MediaCritical Insights / MaineToday Media October 10–11, 2010 605 ± 4% 32% 26% 11% 5 1 26%Pine Tree Politics/Maine Center for Public OpinionPine Tree Politics / Maine Center for Public Opinion October 4–7, 2010 679 ± 3.76% 29.6% 28.7% 11.1% 4.9% 1.6% 24.1%Critical Insights/MaineToday MediaCritical Insights / MaineToday Media September 27, 2010 405 ± 4.9% 29% 30% 9% 5% 0% 26%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 20, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 45% 27% 14% * * 10%Critical Insights/MaineToday MediaCritical Insights / MaineToday Media September 13, 2010 603 ± 4% 38% 25% 11% 4% 1% 21%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 2–6, 2010 1,468 ± 2.6% 43% 29% 11% 5% 1% 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 12, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 38% 30% 16% * * 11%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 14, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 39% 31% 15% * * 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 10, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 43% 36% 7% * * 14% * Shawn Moody and Kevin Scott, two Independent candidates who appeared on the ballot, were not offered as choices in the Rasmussen polls.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/maine/toplines/toplines_maine_governor_august_12_2010/ Maine Governor August 12, 2010 Rasmussen Reports Results thumb|300px|County flips: Independent #696969 Flip from Democratic Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip from Democratic 2010 gubernatorial election, Mainehttp://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/2010-11/gen2010gov.html Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Results, 2010-11 Tabulations, Governor General Election Tabulations Republican Party (United States) Paul LePage 218,065 37.56% +7.39% Independent Eliot Cutler 208,270 35.88% — Democratic Party (United States) Libby Mitchell 109,387 18.84% -19.31% Independent Shawn Moody 28,756 4.95% — Independent Kevin Scott 5,664 0.98% 9,795 1.68% -6.2 580,538 +29,673 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Results by county County Paul LePageRepublican Eliot CutlerIndependent Libby MitchellDemocratic Shawn MoodyIndependent Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # % # % Androscoggin 18,007 43.0% 13,316 31.8% 6,838 16.3% 1,566 3.7% 2,149 5.1% 4,691 11.2% 41,876 Aroostook 11,353 42.4% 7,478 28.0% 5,307 19.8% 2,030 7.6% 584 2.2% 3,875 14.4% 26,752 Cumberland 38,984 30.4% 53,036 41.3% 27,097 21.1% 8,423 6.6% 881 0.7% -14,052 -10.9% 128,421 Franklin 5,877 42.9% 4,495 32.8% 2,571 18.8% 520 3.8% 241 1.8% 1,382 10.1% 13,704 Hancock 9,056 35.2% 11,258 43.8% 4,445 17.3% 774 3.0% 190 0.7% -2,202 -8.6% 25,723 Kennebec 23,567 43.5% 17,146 31.6% 11,406 21.0% 1,482 2.7% 620 1.1% 6,421 11.9% 54,221 Knox 6,830 36.5% 7,327 39.2% 3,970 21.2% 442 2.4% 132 0.7% -497 -2.7% 18,701 Lincoln 7,196 40.5% 6,598 37.2% 3,304 18.6% 516 2.9% 141 0.8% 598 3.3% 17,755 Oxford 10,281 39.5% 8,416 32.4% 4,659 17.9% 1,437 5.5% 1,207 4.6% 1,865 7.1% 26,000 Penobscot 25,721 42.5% 24,150 39.9% 8,253 13.6% 1,856 3.1% 527 0.9% 1,571 2.6% 60,507 Piscataquis 3,724 48.5% 2,809 36.5% 837 10.9% 235 3.1% 81 1.1% 915 12.0% 7,686 Sagadahoc 6,495 37.2% 6,796 39.0% 3,330 19.1% 647 3.7% 180 1.0% -301 -1.8% 17,448 Somerset 9,994 48.8% 6,814 33.3% 2,703 13.2% 699 3.4% 258 1.3% 3,180 15.5% 20,468 Waldo 7,088 40.3% 6,684 38.0% 3,053 17.4% 614 3.5% 150 0.9% 404 2.3% 17,589 Washington 5,586 43.1% 4,846 37.4% 1,858 14.4% 475 3.7% 181 1.4% 740 5.7% 12,946 York 28,103 34.1% 27,031 32.8% 19,456 23.6% 7,026 8.5% 754 0.9% 1,072 1.3% 82,370Totals218,06538.1%208,27036.4%109,38719.1%28,7565.0%8,2881.4%9,7651.7%572,766 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Androscoggin (largest city: Lewiston) Aroostook (largest city: Presque Isle) Kennebec (largest city: Augusta) Lincoln (largest city: Waldoboro) Oxford (largest town: Rumford) Penobscot (largest city: Bangor) Waldo (Largest city: Belfast) York (largest town: Biddeford) Counties that flipped from Democratic to Independent Cumberland (largest municipality: Portland) Hancock (largest municipality: Ellsworth) Knox (largest municipality: Rockland) Sagadahoc (largest town: Bath) Analysis Despite polling in the low teens as late as mid-October, Cutler surged in the final weeks of the campaign to surpass Mitchell and finish second. LePage won with only 37.6% of the vote, the second-lowest percentage for any winning Maine gubernatorial candidate behind independent Angus King's 35.7% in 1994. LePage was considered to have benefitted from vote splitting between the Democrat Mitchell and the Democrat-turned-independent Cutler.Woodard Colin 2018-03-27 Maine’s Radical Democratic Experiment https://politi.co/2GhsUpf 2025-07-12 POLITICO Magazine en Mitchell would ultimately win just 18.8% of the vote, carrying only Kittery and Ogunquit in the extreme south of the state, two of the state's three Indian reservations (the Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation and the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation), and a handful of staunchly Democratic municipalities in northern Aroostook County near the Canadian border. Cutler carried many other traditionally Democratic areas of the state, such as the Greater Portland area and Mount Desert Island. Mitchell's performance was the worst for any Democratic gubernatorial candidate since 1998, when Democrat Thomas J. Connolly would win just 12% of the vote in the midst of King's 16-county landslide re-election. This election remains the last time the Democratic nominee failed to carry a single county in a Maine gubernatorial election. In addition, a number of municipalities and voting precincts finished as exact ties in official results: the municipalities of Bancroft, Dallas Plantation, Gilead, Madrid, Orient, Vanceboro, and Wesley, finished as exact ties between LePage and Cutler, while a precinct for voters in unincorporated eastern Aroostook County finished as a tie between Cutler and fellow independent Shawn Moody, with each receiving one vote. Aftermath Paul LePage and Eliot Cutler would face off again in 2014, though Cutler would ultimately garner just 8% of the vote in that election. LePage would win re-election that year with over 48% of the vote, his closest opponent being Democrat Mike Michaud, who received 43% of the vote. LePage would again be the Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2022, an election he would lose to Democrat Janet Mills by 13 points. He is currently the Republican nominee for Maine's 2nd congressional district in the 2026 election.Cover Susan Former Gov. Paul LePage launches bid for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District https://spectrumlocalnews.com/me/maine/politics/2025/05/05/former-gov--paul-lepage-launches-bid-for-maine-s-2nd-congressional-district- 2026-05-26 spectrumlocalnews.com en In 2022, Cutler would be arrested for possession of child pornography, resulting in him serving seven months in jail and being required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.Shepherd Michael Piper Jessica Trotter Bill 2022-03-25 2-time Maine gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler arrested on child porn charges http://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/03/25/news/hancock/eliot-cutler-arrested-on-child-porn-charges-in-hancock-county/ 2025-07-15 Bangor Daily News en-US2024-01-18 Eliot Cutler released early after serving 7 months, jail official says https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/crime/eliot-cutler-hancock-county-jail-no-longer-in-custody-sex-offender/97-4d95115e-8d9c-4acb-9ff7-5481110448ad 2025-07-15 newscentermaine.com en-US Shawn Moody, who finished the 2010 election with 5% of the vote as an independent, would become a Republican in 2017. He was the Republican nominee for governor in 2018, an election he would lose to Janet Mills.Shepherd Michael 2017-11-21 Moody announces GOP gubernatorial bid run by LePage insiders http://www.bangordailynews.com/2017/11/21/news/shawn-moody-launches-gop-gubernatorial-bid-run-by-lepage-insiders/ 2025-07-12 Bangor Daily News en-US He would also form an exploratory committee to run for the Republican nomination in 2026, but ultimately chose not to enter the race.2026-01-04 Shawn Moody Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign Amid Health Concerns http://wgan.com/news/074470-moody-opting-out-2018-gop-nominee-will-not-run-for-governor-in-2026/ 2026-05-26 Newsradio WGAN en-US See also List of governors of Maine References External links Maine Secretary of State – Elections Division Maine Governor CandidatesAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot at Project Vote Smart Campaign contributions for 2010 Maine Governor from Follow the Money Maine Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com https://archive.today/20130419014927/http://www.pollster.com/polls/me/10-me-gov-ge-lvm.php 2010 Maine Gubernatorial General Election: Paul LePage (R) vs Libby Mitchell (D) el graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Maine Governor from Rasmussen Reports 2010 Maine Governor – LePage vs. Mitchell vs. Cutler from Real Clear Politics 2010 Maine Governor's RaceApril 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes from CQ Politics Race Profile in The New York Times Official campaign websites (Archived) Patrick McGowan (D) Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell (D) Steven Rowe (D) Rosa Scarcelli (D) Steven Abbott (R) William Beardsley (R) Matt Jacobson (R) Paul LePage (R) Peter Mills (R) Les Otten (R) Bruce Poliquin (R) Eliot Cutler (I) Alex Hammer (I) Shawn Moody (I) Kevin Scott (I) Debates Debate hosted by the Associated General Contractors of America (Democrats, Republicans, and Cutler) https://archive.today/20130209072541/http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=88816180001 Democrat debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 1 el https://archive.today/20130209094400/http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=88809943001 Democrat debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 2 el https://archive.today/20130209120821/http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=88807453001 Republican debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 1 el https://archive.today/20130209020133/http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=88776575001 Republican debate hosted by WCSH-TV, Part 2 el Democrat debate hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 1 Democrat debate hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 2 Republican debate hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 1 Republican debate hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 2 Democrat debate hosted by Maine Public Broadcasting https://web.archive.org/web/20100609043501/http://video.mpbn.net/video/1513291173 June 9, 2010 Republican debate hosted by Maine Public Broadcasting https://web.archive.org/web/20100609043456/http://video.mpbn.net/video/1506788602 June 9, 2010 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WGME-TV and MaineToday Media, Part 1 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WGME-TV and MaineToday Media, Part 2 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 1 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WMTW-TV and University of Southern Maine, Part 2 https://archive.today/20130209160956/http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=643114705001%23/Local/Voice%20of%20the%20Voter%20Forum:%20Governor's%20Race%20(1)/49383985001/49452227001/643179554001 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WCSH-TV and Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Part 1 el https://archive.today/20130209025201/http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=643114705001%23/Local/Voice+of+the+Voter+Forum:+Governor's+Race+(2)/49383985001/49452227001/643176660001 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WCSH-TV and Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Part 2 el Debate featuring four of the five general election candidates (LePage chose not to participate), hosted by MPBN and Bates College https://web.archive.org/web/20110723055056/http://video.mpbn.net/video/1628298390/ July 23, 2011 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WGME-TV, WGAN-AM, and MaineToday Media, Part 1 Debate featuring all five general election candidates, hosted by WGME-TV, WGAN-AM, and MaineToday Media, Part 2 Candidate interviews Interview with Democratic candidate Donna DionMay 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Interview with Republican candidate Les Otten Interview with Democratic candidate Rosa Scarcelli Interview with Republican candidate Paul LePageMay 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Interview with Democratic candidate Libby MitchellMay 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Interview with Independent Alex Hammer Interview with Republican candidate Paul LePage Interview with Democratic candidate Libby Mitchell Interview with Republican candidate Bruce Poliquin Interview with Democratic candidate Steven Rowe Interview with Green candidate Lynne Williams Interview with Independent candidate Shawn Moody expanded Gubernatorial 2010 Category:2010 United States gubernatorial elections