2018 Maine gubernatorial election explained

See also: 2018 United States gubernatorial elections.

Election Name:	2018 Maine gubernatorial election
Country:	Maine
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2014 Maine gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2014
Next Election:	2022 Maine gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2022
Registered:	1,058,893^[1] ^[2] (4.36 pp)
Turnout:	61.24%^[3] (1.13 pp)
Nominee1:	Janet Mills
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	320,962
Percentage1:	50.89%
Nominee2:	Shawn Moody
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	272,311
Percentage2:	43.18%
Nominee3:	Terry Hayes
Party3:	Independent
Popular Vote3:	37,268
Percentage3:	5.91%
Governor
Before Election:	Paul LePage
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Janet Mills
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 2018 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor of Maine. It occurred along with elections for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican governor Paul LePage was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third consecutive term; he later unsuccessfully sought a third term in 2022.^[4] This was one of eight Republican-held governorships up for election in a state carried by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

The primaries for this election were the first in Maine to be conducted with ranked choice voting (RCV), as opposed to a simple plurality, after voters passed a citizen referendum approving the change in 2016.^[5] An advisory opinion by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court held that RCV would be unconstitutional for general elections for governor and the state legislature. This led state legislators to vote to delay its implementation pending approval of a state constitutional amendment.^{[6] [7]} Backers of a "people's veto" turned in enough signatures to suspend this law until a June referendum vote, which restored RCV for future primary and congressional elections.^[8]

Governor Paul LePage threatened not to certify the results of the primary elections, saying he would "leave it up to the courts to decide."^[9] He also called the use of ranked-choice voting the "most horrific thing in the world."^[10] Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said the results would be binding regardless of whether LePage certified them.^[11]

The Republican nominee was businessman and 2010 independent candidate for governor Shawn Moody. The Democratic candidate was Attorney General Janet Mills. State Treasurer Terry Hayes and businessman Alan Caron had qualified for the ballot as independents, though Caron dropped out on October 29 and endorsed Mills. Former state senator and former mayor of Lewiston and Auburn John Jenkins and perennial candidate Kenneth Capron ran write-in campaigns.

Mills defeated Moody and Hayes with a majority to become the first female governor of Maine. This was the first election since 2006 that Maine elected a Democratic governor. Mills was also the first gubernatorial candidate to win at least 50% of the vote since Angus King in 1998, and the first non-incumbent to do so since Kenneth M. Curtis in 1966. Mills also became the first Maine gubernatorial candidate to earn 300,000 votes and received more votes for governor than any other candidate in state history. This also marks the first gubernatorial election since 1982 that a Democrat would win a majority of the popular vote.^[12]

Background

Incumbent Republican Paul LePage was term-limited, having been elected twice consecutively in 2010 and 2014. LePage did not win a majority of the vote either time (receiving 37.6% in a crowded four-way race in 2010 and 48.2% in a three-way race in 2014), with Democrats accusing independent candidate Eliot Cutler of splitting the anti-LePage vote in both instances, though Cutler finished closer to LePage than Democratic candidate Libby Mitchell in the 2010 election.^[13]

Maine's history of governors elected without majorities, including LePage, was one impetus for the citizen's referendum to implement ranked choice voting.^{[14] [15]} Indeed, the last time a gubernatorial candidate received a majority of the vote was in 1998, when incumbent governor (and current United States Senator) Angus King, an independent, won reelection with 58.6% of the vote. The last time a non-incumbent candidate received more than 50% of the vote was the 1966 gubernatorial election, which Democrat Kenneth M. Curtis won over incumbent Republican John H. Reed with 53.1% of the vote.

Though ranked-choice voting was approved by voters in a 2016 referendum, the Maine Legislature voted to delay and potentially repeal RCV for all elections after an advisory opinion by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled it unconstitutional for general elections for state offices. RCV supporters succeeded in a people's veto effort to prevent the delay, which suspends it until a June 2018 referendum vote.^[16] RCV supporters were victorious in the June referendum, and ranked-choice voting will remain in place for state and federal primaries and federal general elections.^[17]

Republican primary

Speculation that U.S. Senator Susan Collins was considering running for governor arose during the 2015 Maine Legislative session when Representative Matt Moonen (D-Portland) introduced a bill to strip the governor (LePage at the time) of the power to appoint replacement U.S. Senators in the event of a vacancy and to instead have a special primary and general election. Moonen denied that he was motivated by Collins's possible candidacy, saying he was interested only in counterbalancing Republican-sponsored bills to change how the Maine Attorney General and Maine Secretary of State are chosen. Moonen said Collins had told him speculation about her running for governor was "silly."^[18] Collins, who was the 1994 Republican nominee for Governor, told MPBN News on January 4, 2016, that though she was "baffled" by the rumors about her being interested in running for governor, many had encouraged her to run, and she would not rule it out.^[19] In October 2017, Collins said she would not run for governor in 2018.^[20]

No Republican candidate ruled out challenging the results of a ranked-choice primary in court. Mary Mayhew called for the immediate repeal of RCV, calling it a "scam" and "probably illegal".^[21]

The Maine Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Bangor on May 4, 2018, seeking to bar the use of RCV for its own primary on the grounds that requiring the party to use it violates its First Amendment rights to choose its nominee as it sees fit.^[22] U.S. District Court Judge Jon Levy rejected the suit on May 29.^[23]

Candidates

Nominated

• Shawn Moody, businessman and independent candidate for governor in 2010^[24]

Eliminated in primary

• Ken Fredette, state house minority leader^[25]
• Garrett Mason, state senate majority leader^[26]
• Mary Mayhew, former commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services^[27]

Withdrawn

• Deril Stubenrod, write-in candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014^[28]
• Mike Thibodeau, Maine Senate president^[29]

Declined

• Rick Bennett, former chairman of the Maine Republican Party, former President of the Maine Senate, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 and nominee for ME-02 in 1994^[30]
• Susan Collins, U.S. senator and nominee for governor in 1994^{[31] [32]}
• Nick Isgro, Mayor of Waterville^[33]
• Bruce Poliquin, U.S. representative (ran for reelection)^[34]
• Peter Vigue, businessman^[35]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	RCV round	Ken Fredette	Garrett Mason	Mary Mayhew	Shawn Moody	Undecided
SurveyUSA	align=center rowspan=3	April 26 – May 1, 2018	align=center rowspan=3	546	align=center rowspan=3	± 4.8%	Round 1	10%	15%	19%	34%	22%
	Round 2	–	25%	26%	49%	align=center rowspan=2	–
	Round 3	–	–	34%	align=center	65%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Susan Collins	Mary Mayhew	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	align=center rowspan=2	August 1–2, 2017	align=center rowspan=2	672	align=center rowspan=2	–	33%	align=center	44%	–	23%
	28%	–	align=center	62%	10%

Results

Democratic primary

Almost all Democratic candidates said that they would abide by the results of the ranked-choice primary, with only Janet Mills refusing to comment on the issue because it was being heard by the courts.

Candidates

Nominated

• Janet Mills, Maine Attorney General^[36]

Eliminated in primary

• Adam Cote, attorney, Iraq War veteran and candidate for ME-01 in 2008^[37]
• Donna Dion, former mayor of Biddeford^[38]
• Mark Dion, state senator and former Cumberland County Sheriff^[39]
• Mark Eves, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives^[40]
• Diane Russell, former state representative^[41]
• Betsy Sweet, former director of the Maine Women's Lobby^[42]

Failed to make ballot

• Dominic A. Crocitto^[43]
• Steve DeAngelis, schoolteacher^[44]
• J. Martin Vachon^[45]

Withdrawn

• James Boyle, former state senator^[46]
• Patrick Eisenhart, retired United States Coast Guard Commander^[47]
• Sean Faircloth, former mayor of Bangor and former state senator^[48]
• Kenneth Forrest Pinet^[49]

Declined

• Justin Alfond, former state senator and former President of the Maine Senate^{[50] [51]}
• Yellow Light Breen, CEO of the Maine Development Foundation
• Adam Goode, former state representative
• Troy Jackson, State Senate Minority Leader
• Stephen King, author^{[52] [53]}
• Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative^[54]
• Hannah Pingree, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
• Lucas St. Clair, nonprofit executive (ran for ME-02)^[55]

Endorsements

All endorsers are Democrats unless otherwise specified.

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	RCV round	Adam Cote	Donna Dion	Mark Dion	Mark Eves	Janet Mills	Diane Russell	Betsy Sweet	Undecided
SurveyUSA	align=center rowspan=5	April 26 – May 1, 2018	align=center rowspan=5	649	align=center rowspan=5	± 4.2%	Round 1	9%	2%	10%	16%	32%	4%	5%	24%
	Round 2	13%	–	13%	20%	42%	5%	6%	align=center rowspan=4
	Round 3	13%	–	13%	22%	43%	–	8%
	Round 4	14%	–	15%	24%	48%	–	–
	Round 5	–	–	19%	26%	align=center	55%	–	–

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Round 1			Round 2			Round 3			Round 4
			Votes	%	Transfer	Votes	%	Transfer	Votes	%	Transfer	Votes	%
	Democratic	Janet Mills	41,735	33.1%	+ 2,307	44,042	35.5%	+ 5,903	49,945	40.8%	+ 13,439		63,384		54.1%
	Democratic	Adam Cote	35,478	28.1%	+ 2,065	37,543	30.2%	+ 5,080	42,623	34.8%	+ 11,243	53,866	45.9%
	Democratic	Betsy Sweet	20,767	16.5%	+ 2,220	22,987	18.5%	+ 6,957	29,944	24.4%	BGCOLOR=pink	- 29,944	Eliminated
	Democratic	Mark Eves	17,887	14.2%	+ 1,634	19,521	15.7%	BGCOLOR=pink	- 19,521	Eliminated
	Democratic	Mark Dion	5,200	4.1%	BGCOLOR=pink	- 5,200	Eliminated
	Democratic	Diane Russell	2,728	2.2%	BGCOLOR=pink	- 2,728	Eliminated
	Democratic	Donna Dion	1,596	1.3%	BGCOLOR=pink	- 1,596	Eliminated
	Democratic	Write-ins	748	0.6%	BGCOLOR=pink	- 748	Eliminated
Total votes												132,250	100.0%

Green Independent primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

• Jay Parker Dresser, candidate for ME-02 in 2016^[56]
• Betsy Marsano, activist^{[57] [58]}

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

• Gilbert P. Doughty^[59]
• Richard Light^{[37] [60]}

Independents

Candidates

Declared

• Kenneth A. Capron, perennial candidate, systems analyst and fraud investigator^[61] (write-in candidate)
• Terry Hayes, Maine State Treasurer^[47]
• John Jenkins, former mayor of Lewiston, former mayor of Auburn and former Democratic state senator^{[62] [63]} (write-in candidate)

Capron and Jenkins failed to qualify for the ballot, but continued their campaigns as write-in candidates.

Withdrawn

• Ethan Alcorn, businessman (did not qualify)^[64]
• Alan Caron, president and CEO of Envision Maine (endorsed Mills)^[65]
• Aaron D. Chadbourne, writer and activist^[66] (write-in candidate, endorsed Moody)^[67]

Failed to make ballot

• Karmo Sanders, actress^[68]

Declined

• Eliot Cutler, attorney and candidate for governor in 2010 and 2014^[69]
• Angus King, U.S. Senator and former governor (running for re-election)^[70]
• Peter Vigue, businessman^[71]
• Dick Woodbury, former state senator

General election

After the primaries, most prediction models had the race as a tossup, noting Paul LePage's two victories and Hillary Clinton's narrow margin of victory in the state in the 2016 presidential election. Others considered it to be a pick-up opportunity for the Democrats.^[72] Both Moody and Mills received the backing of outside money, with one PAC spending in excess of $1 million on television advertising in the state to support Mills's candidacy.^[73]

On October 12, Jonathan Martin of The New York Times published an article detailing a sex discrimination complaint filed against Moody and his business in 2006, which Moody settled for $20,000, resulting in the complaint being withdrawn. The complaint alleged that Moody went to the residence of a female employee and fired her for having a child just days after delivering the child via an emergency caesarean section.^[74] Moody denied the allegation through a spokesperson and later on Twitter.^[75]

Though the first poll of the race saw Mills and Moody tied for first place with Hayes and Caron lagging behind, by the end of October, four different polls were released, each showing Mills with an eight-point lead over Moody. FiveThirtyEight declared the race "Likely D" when its gubernatorial projections were released in October, though other prediction models maintained the race as a tossup.

On October 29, in a press conference at the main branch of the Portland Public Library, Caron dropped out of the race and endorsed Mills. His name remained on the ballot, but any votes cast for him were regarded as blank.^[76]

Shortly before 10 pm on election night, Hayes conceded the race.^[77] At 12:15 am on November 7, Moody conceded the race to Mills, and shortly thereafter Mills declared victory at Democratic headquarters in Portland. Mills became the first Maine gubernatorial candidate to receive more than 300,000 votes in a single election. Mills also became the first Maine gubernatorial candidate to win a majority of the vote since Angus King won nearly 59% of the vote in his re-election bid in 1998, and became the first candidate to win a majority of the popular vote for a first term since Kenneth M. Curtis defeated incumbent governor John H. Reed in 1966, though Curtis and Reed were the only candidates in that race.

The general election used plurality voting, not ranked-choice voting.

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[78]		October 26, 2018
The Washington Post^[79]		November 5, 2018
FiveThirtyEight^[80]		November 5, 2018
Rothenberg Political Report^[81]		November 1, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[82]		November 5, 2018
RealClearPolitics^[83]		November 4, 2018
Daily Kos^[84]		November 5, 2018
Fox News^[85]		November 5, 2018
Politico^[86]		November 5, 2018
Governing^[87]		November 5, 2018

Endorsements

• Endorsements in bold were made after the primaries on June 12, 2018.

Debates

Dates	Location	Mills	Moody	Hayes	Caron	Link
October 10, 2018	Portland, Maine	Participant	Participant	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - C-SPAN
October 25, 2018	Augusta, Maine	Participant	Participant	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - C-SPAN

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Shawn Moody (R)	Janet Mills (D)	Terry Hayes (I)	Alan Caron (I)	Other	Undecided
Slingshot Strategies (I-Hayes)	November 1, 2018	518	–	38%	align=center	55%	7%	–	–	–
Emerson College	October 27–29, 2018	883	± 3.5%	42%	align=center	50%	–	–	5%	4%
Pan Atlantic Research	October 1–7, 2018	500	± 4.4%	36%	align=center	44%	8%	2%	–	10%
Change Research	September 30 – October 1, 2018	801	–	44%	align=center	52%	–	–	–	–
Slingshot Strategies (I-Hayes)	September 26–30, 2018	600	–	33%	align=center	41%	10%	2%	0%	13%
Suffolk University	August 2–6, 2018	500	± 4.4%	39%	39%	4%	3%	–	16%

if ranked-choice voting were used

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Shawn Moody (R)	Janet Mills (D)	Terry Hayes (I)	Alan Caron (I)	Undecided
Slingshot Strategies (I-Hayes)	November 1, 2018	518	–	37%	align=center	49%	11%	–	3%
Slingshot Strategies (I-Hayes)	September 26–30, 2018	600	–	42%	align=center	45%	9%	4%	–

Results by county

	Janet Mills		Shawn Moody		Terry Hayes		Margin		Total
align=center	County	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes
Androscoggin	19,801	43.96%	21,903	48.63%	3,337	7.41%	-2,102	-4.67%	45,041
Aroostook	10,360	38.23%	14,498	53.51%	2,238	8.26%	-4,138	-15.28%	27,096
Cumberland	95,346	61.19%	53,088	34.07%	7,373	4.73%	42,258	27.12%	155,807
Franklin	7,083	50.32%	6,254	44.43%	738	5.24%	829	5.89%	14,075
Hancock	15,228	54.13%	11,356	40.37%	1,549	5.51%	3,872	13.76%	28,133
Kennebec	26,777	47.86%	25,752	46.03%	3,422	6.12%	1,025	1.83%	55,951
Knox	11,691	57.39%	7,694	37.77%	985	4.84%	3,997	19.62%	20,370
Lincoln	9,676	50.88%	8,324	43.77%	1,019	5.36%	1,352	7.11%	19,019
Oxford	10,510	41.06%	12,342	48.22%	2,742	10.71%	-1,832	-7.16%	25,594
Penobscot	29,004	45.17%	31,572	49.17%	3,640	5.67%	-2,568	-4.00%	64,216
Piscataquis	2,887	38.70%	4,109	55.08%	464	6.22%	-1,222	-16.38%	7,460
Sagadahoc		10,152	53.22%	7,714	40.44%	1,210	6.34%	2,438	12.78%	19,076
Somerset	8,524	41.03%	11,048	53.18%	1,204	5.80%	-2,524	-12.15%	20,776
Waldo	10,109	51.61%	8,397	42.87%	1,083	5.53%	1,712	8.74%	19,589
Washington	5,736	43.99%	6,533	50.10%	770	5.91%	-797	-6.11%	13,039
York	48,078	50.45%	41,727	43.79%	5,494	5.77%	6,351	6.66%	95,299

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Franklin (largest town:Farmington)
• Hancock (largest town:Ellsworth)
• Kennebec (largest town:Augusta)
• Lincoln (largest town:Waldoboro)
• Sagadahoc (largest town:Bath)
• Waldo (largest town:Belfast)
• York (largest town:Biddeford)

By congressional district

Mills won 1 of the 2 congressional districts. Moody won the other, which elected a Democrat.^[88]

District	Mills	Moody	Hayes	Representative
		55.89%	38.85%	5.26%
		44.99%	48.34%	6.68%		Jared Golden

See also

• 2018 United States gubernatorial elections

External links

• Maine Secretary of State – Elections Division
• Candidates at Vote Smart
• Candidates at Ballotpedia

Official campaign websites

• Kenneth Capron (I) for Governor
• Terry Hayes (I) for Governor
• John Jenkins (I) for Governor
• Janet Mills (D) for Governor
• Shawn Moody (R) for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Statewide Registered and Enrolled Data File (Active Status). Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. December 12, 2023.
2. Web site: Statewide Registered and Enrolled Data File (Inactive Status). Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. December 12, 2023.
3. Web site: Tabulations for Elections held in 2018. Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. December 12, 2023.
4. Web site: WMTW . 2022-11-09 . Former Gov. LePage concedes, cites ‘grave’ concerns over inflation for Maine . 2023-09-18 . www.wabi.tv . en.
5. News: Maine became the first state in the country Tuesday to pass ranked choice voting. November 17, 2016. Boston Globe. November 10, 2016. November 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161116075525/https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2016/11/10/maine-became-the-first-state-in-the-country-to-pass-ranked-choice-voting. live.
6. News: Maine Supreme Judicial Court rules ranked-choice voting unconstitutional. May 23, 2016. Bangor Daily News. May 23, 2016. May 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170523181148/https://bangordailynews.com/2017/05/23/politics/maine-supreme-judicial-court-rules-ranked-choice-voting-unconstitutional/. live.
7. Web site: Ranked choice voting delayed until 2021. TEGNA.
8. News: Voters will decide in June whether Maine keeps its ranked-choice voting law. March 16, 2018. Portland Press Herald. March 5, 2018. March 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316152425/https://www.pressherald.com/2018/03/05/voters-in-june-will-decide-if-maine-keeps-its-ranked-choice-voting-law/. live.
9. News: Nilsen . Ella . Vox . Maine's governor is threatening not to certify the results of Tuesday's primary . June 13, 2018 . June 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613012711/https://www.vox.com/2018/6/12/17453676/paul-lepage-maine-governor-threatening-not-to-certify-tuesday-primary-results-2018-midterms . live .
10. News: Levine . Sam . Huffington Post . Maine Gov. Paul LePage 'Probably' Won't Certify Primary Election Results . June 13, 2018 . June 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613012659/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/paul-lepage-ranked-choice-voting_us_5b203bf1e4b09d7a3d781600 . live .
11. News: Republican Sanford loses in South Carolina after Trump urges his ouster. CNBC. Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said the election results would be binding anyway, the Portland Press Herald said.. July 8, 2018. July 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180708075402/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/13/republican-sanford-loses-in-south-carolina-after-trump-urges-his-ouster.html. live.
12. Web site: 1982 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Maine. April 4, 2023.
13. Web site: Republican Governors Association exploits its pawn in Maine. MSNBC. Steve Benen . Steve Benen. October 28, 2014. January 20, 2018. January 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180121184314/http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/republican-governors-association-exploits-its-pawn-maine. live.
14. Web site: Maine lawmakers seek to end strategic voting, 'spoilers' with petition for ranked-choice voting. Bangor Daily News. October 27, 2015. January 20, 2018. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323104140/http://bangordailynews.com/2014/10/27/politics/elections/maine-lawmakers-seek-to-end-strategic-voting-spoilers-with-petition-for-ranked-choice-voting/?ref=relatedBox. live.
15. Web site: What's the problem with our current voting system?. The Committee for Ranked Choice Voting. January 29, 2018. January 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091512/http://www.rcvmaine.com/whats_the_problem_with_our_current_voting_system. dead.
16. Web site: Ranked-choice voters submit signatures for 'people's veto' ballot initiative. February 2, 2018. February 3, 2018. February 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180203181522/https://www.pressherald.com/2018/02/02/ranked-choice-voters-submit-signatures-for-peoples-veto-ballot-initiative/. live.
17. Web site: Maine Voters Overrule Their Leaders. Russell. Berman. The Atlantic. June 15, 2018. June 21, 2018. June 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622005052/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/06/maine-lepage-ranked-choice-voting/562871/. live.
18. News: Lawmaker says his bill isn't about Susan Collins running for governor. March 31, 2015. Bangor Daily News. March 30, 2014. August 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150815064441/http://bangordailynews.com/2015/03/30/politics/state-house/lawmaker-says-his-bill-isnt-about-susan-collins-running-for-governor/. live.
19. News: Collins Says She Is Baffled By Rumor She Is Running For Governor. January 4, 2016. MPBN News. January 4, 2016. January 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160106045544/http://news.mpbn.net/post/collins-says-she-baffled-rumor-she-running-governor. live.
20. Cook, Janet. "Susan Collins to Remain in U.S. Senate ". The Wall Street Journal. October 13, 2017.
21. News: Candidates for Blaine House signal they might challenge outcome of a ranked-choice vote. April 7, 2018. Portland Press Herald. April 7, 2018. April 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180407105028/https://www.pressherald.com/2018/04/07/candidates-for-maine-governor-signal-they-might-challenge-outcome-of-ranked-choice-vote/. live.
22. News: GOP Files Suit To Block Ranked-Choice Voting . Leary . Mal . May 4, 2018 . . May 7, 2018 . May 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180507221443/http://mainepublic.org/post/gop-files-suit-block-ranked-choice-voting . live.
23. News: Judge: Maine GOP Must Use Ranked-Choice Voting In Primary . Leary . Mal . May 29, 2018 . . May 30, 2018 . May 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180530001532/http://mainepublic.org/post/judge-maine-gop-must-use-ranked-choice-voting-primary . live.
24. News: Moody announces GOP gubernatorial bid run by LePage insiders . Shepherd . Michael . November 21, 2017 . . November 21, 2017 . November 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171121212605/http://bangordailynews.com/2017/11/21/politics/shawn-moody-launches-gop-gubernatorial-bid-run-by-lepage-insiders/ . live.
25. News: Maine House Minority Leader Fredette announces he's running for governor. September 6, 2017. Portland Press Herald. September 6, 2017. September 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170906075522/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/09/06/maine-house-minority-leader-fredette-to-announce-campaign-for-governors-office/. live.
26. News: Republican Garrett Mason to announce gubernatorial bid this week. September 6, 2017. Bangor Daily News. September 5, 2017. September 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170908132129/http://bangordailynews.com/2017/09/05/politics/republican-garrett-mason-to-announce-maine-gubernatorial-run-wednesday/. live.
27. News: Mary Mayhew launches campaign to replace LePage in 2018. Shepherd. Michael. June 6, 2017. Bangor Daily News. June 6, 2017. June 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170610044057/http://bangordailynews.com/2017/06/06/politics/mary-mayhew-launches-campaign-to-replace-lepage-in-2018/. live.
28. News: Meet Maine's first 2018 gubernatorial candidate, but don't expect him to win. Bangor Daily News. Shepherd. Michael. February 3, 2017. February 3, 2017. February 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203150205/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2017/02/03/meet-maines-first-2018-gubernatorial-candidate-but-dont-expect-him-to-win/. live.
29. News: Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau quits GOP race to succeed LePage. Bangor Daily News. Shepherd. Michael. March 26, 2018. March 26, 2018. March 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180327150429/http://bangordailynews.com/2018/03/26/politics/maine-senate-president-mike-thibodeau-quits-gop-race-to-succeed-lepage/. live.
30. Web site: Bennett won't run for governor. TEGNA.
31. News: Is Susan Collins planning to run for governor in 2018?. March 14, 2015. Bangor Daily News. March 13, 2015. August 17, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150817172541/http://bangordailynews.com/2015/03/13/politics/will-susan-collins-seek-gubernatorial-bid-in-2018-democrats-bill-could-be-a-sign/?ref=comments. live.
32. Web site: Collins declines run for Maine governor. Strauss. Daniel. October 13, 2017. Politico. October 13, 2017. October 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171013172719/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/13/collins-no-run-for-maine-governor-243747. live.
33. Web site: Waterville Mayor Nick Isgro considering run for governor. Morning Sentinel. Calder. Amy. January 29, 2018. January 30, 2018. January 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180129191131/https://www.centralmaine.com/2018/01/29/waterville-mayor-nick-isgro-not-running-for-governor-but-criticizes-gop-candidates/. live.
34. Web site: Democrats seek to wipe out the last GOP House member in New England – The Boston Globe. . May 22, 2018. May 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519025840/http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2018/02/10/democrats-seek-wipe-out-last-gop-house-member-new-england/foLtPeeoDo9CZErg7vgCPO/story.html. live.
35. News: Who's jockeying for a head start in the race to become Maine's next governor?. Bangor Daily News. Shepherd. Michael. December 18, 2016. December 18, 2016. December 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220210205/http://bangordailynews.com/2016/12/18/the-point/whos-jockeying-for-a-head-start-in-the-race-to-become-maines-next-governor/. live.
36. News: Thistle. Scott. Maine Attorney General Janet Mills says she'll run for governor in 2018. July 10, 2017. Press Herald. July 10, 2017. July 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170713084407/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/07/10/maines-attorney-general-janet-mills-says-shell-run-for-governor-in-2018/. live.
37. News: Democrat Adam Cote to run for governor in Maine as political outsider. Shepherd. Michael. Christopher Cousins. April 19, 2017. Bangor Daily News. April 19, 2017. April 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170420045859/http://bangordailynews.com/2017/04/19/politics/democrat-adam-cote-to-run-for-governor-in-maine/. live.
38. News: Former mayor announces run for governor . McPherson . Grant . January 18, 2018 . The Courier . January 18, 2018 . January 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180118174523/http://courier.mainelymediallc.com/news/2018-01-18/Front_Page/Former_mayor_announces_run_for_governor.html . live .
39. News: Former Maine sheriff enters race for governor as a Democrat. Cousins. Christopher. October 12, 2017. Bangor Daily News. October 12, 2017. March 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231207/https://bangordailynews.com/2017/10/12/politics/former-maine-sheriff-enters-race-for-governor-as-a-democrat/. live.
40. News: Ex-speaker Mark Eves launches Maine gubernatorial run. Cousins. Christopher. July 13, 2017. Bangor Daily News. July 13, 2017. July 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170716193116/http://bangordailynews.com/2017/07/13/politics/democrat-mark-eves-launches-maine-gubernatorial-run/. live.
41. Web site: Former Portland state Rep. Diane Russell joins governor's race. August 10, 2017. August 10, 2017. August 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170810184205/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/08/10/former-portland-rep-diane-russell-joins-governors-race/. live.
42. Web site: Progressive Activist Betsy Sweet announces bid for Maine governor- . Portland Press Herald . Kevin Miller . May 30, 2017 . May 30, 2017 . May 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170530185340/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/05/30/progressive-activist-betsy-sweet-announces-bid-for-maine-governor/ . live .
43. Web site: Filings for Dominic Anthony Crocitto . December 19, 2017 . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices . January 18, 2018 . March 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180323100536/http://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/#/exploreDetails/5752/10/null/32/2018 . dead .
44. News: Collins' support for GOP tax bill could waver if Trump, McConnell can't keep promises. Shepherd. Michael. December 4, 2017. December 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171205045137/http://bangordailynews.com/2017/12/04/uncategorized/collins-support-for-gop-tax-bill-could-waver-if-trump-mcconnell-cant-keep-promises/. December 5, 2017. dead.
45. News: Meet the candidates for Maine's 2018 governor race . September 5, 2017 . . December 1, 2017 . December 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171202153031/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/09/05/meet-candidates-maines-2018-governor-race/ . live .
46. News: Democrat Jim Boyle withdraws from Maine governor's race. Miller. Kevin. February 23, 2018. Portland Press Herald. February 23, 2018. February 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180224112902/https://www.pressherald.com/2018/02/23/democrat-jim-boyle-withdraws-from-maine-governors-race/. live.
47. Web site: Tuesday offered a glimmer of hope for solar energy fans . Bangor Daily News . Michael Shepherd . March 7, 2017 . March 8, 2017 . March 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307162715/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2018/03/07/tuesday-offered-a-glimmer-of-hope-for-solar-energy-fans-on-a-dark-day-for-other-bills/ . live .
48. News: Faircloth Drops Out Of Gubernatorial Race, Endorses Mark Eves . February 24, 2018 . WABI 5 . February 25, 2018 . February 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180225011851/http://www.wabi.tv/content/news/Faircloth-Drops-Out-Of-Gub-475052223.html . live .
49. Web site: Candidate/Committee Information for Pinet, Kenneth Forrest . September 8, 2017 . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices . January 18, 2018 . March 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180323100536/http://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/#/exploreDetails/5653/10/null/32/2018 . dead .
50. Web site: Portland's departing state senators set off a chain reaction. Portland Press Herald. Billings. Randy. January 5, 2016. October 31, 2016. November 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161101103508/http://www.pressherald.com/2016/01/05/portlands-departing-state-senators-set-off-a-chain-reaction/. live.
51. Web site: Justin Alfond rules out run for governor. Portland Press Herald. Thistle. Scott. July 7, 2017. July 7, 2017. July 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170708001420/http://www.centralmaine.com/2017/07/07/justin-alfond-rules-out-run-for-governor-in-2018/. live.
52. Web site: Stephen King for governor: Horror story or best seller? . Bangor Daily News . Christopher Cousins . March 15, 2015 . March 23, 2015 . March 25, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150325191116/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2015/03/23/stephen-king-for-governor-horror-story-or-best-seller/ . live .
53. Web site: UPDATE: King continues attack on LePage, says 'I will not run' for governor . Bangor Daily News . Christopher Cousins . March 23, 2015 . March 24, 2015 . March 26, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150326193820/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2015/03/23/update-king-continues-attack-on-lepage-says-i-will-not-run-for-governor/ . live .
54. Web site: Pingree says she won't run for governor in 2018. Portland Press Herald. Scott Thistle. December 19, 2017. December 19, 2017. December 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171221032027/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/12/19/pingree-says-she-wont-run-for-governor-in-2018/. live.
55. Web site: Lucas St. Clair Says He's Running for Congress, Shaking Up Democratic Primary Field. MPBN. Bukaty. Robert. October 2, 2017. October 2, 2017. October 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171002165945/http://mainepublic.org/post/lucas-st-clair-says-hes-running-congress-shaking-democratic-primary-field#stream/0. live.
56. Web site: Candidate and Committee Information for Dresser, Jay Parker Lunt . December 28, 2017 . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices . January 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120342/https://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgID=10113 . January 19, 2018 . dead .
57. Web site: Democrats might have found the Mainer they want to challenge Poliquin. July 24, 2017. August 10, 2017. August 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170810210947/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2017/07/24/democrats-might-have-found-the-mainer-they-want-to-challenge-poliquin/. live.
58. News: Lesson One from GOP debate: It's still all about LePage . Cousins . Christopher . February 27, 2018 . . February 28, 2018 . February 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180227191236/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2018/02/27/lesson-one-from-gop-debate-its-still-all-about-lepage/ . live .
59. Web site: Candidate/Committee Information for Doughty, Gilbert P. . January 12, 2018 . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices . January 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180120065632/https://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgID=10350 . January 20, 2018 . dead .
60. Web site: Candidate/Committee Information for Light, Richard . January 3, 2018 . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices . January 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120312/https://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgID=10066 . January 19, 2018 . dead .
61. Web site: Candidate/Committee Information for Capron, Kenneth A . November 27, 2017 . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices . January 18, 2018 . March 23, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180323100536/http://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/#/exploreDetails/5723/10/null/32/2018 . dead .
62. News: John Jenkins eyeing possible gubernatorial race. September 1, 2017. Lewiston Sun Journal. September 1, 2017. September 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170901203407/http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2017/09/01/john-jenkins-eyeing-possible-gubernatorial-race/2193172. live.
63. News: Former mayor of both Lewiston and Auburn files to run for governor. November 18, 2017. Portland Press Herald. November 18, 2017. November 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171116205212/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/11/16/former-mayor-of-both-lewiston-and-auburn-files-for-2018-governors-race/. live.
64. Web site: Maine Ethics Commission. December 6, 2017. March 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323100536/http://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/#/exploreDetails/5718/10/null/32/2018. dead.
65. News: Alan Caron may be next to enter 2018 governor's race. September 11, 2017. Portland Press Herald. September 11, 2017. September 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170912000548/http://www.pressherald.com/2017/09/11/alan-caron-may-be-next-to-enter-2018-governors-race/. live.
66. Web site: Filings for Mr Aaron D. Chadbourne . June 14, 2018 . Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices . June 26, 2018 . July 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180712222522/https://secure.mainecampaignfinance.com/#/exploreDetails/6253/10/null/32/2018 . dead .
67. Web site: Ending the Campaign; Beginning a New Chapter . Chadbourne . Aaron . September 4, 2018 . . October 13, 2018 . October 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211007114640/https://www.facebook.com/notes/run-aaron-run/ending-the-campaign-beginning-a-new-chapter/227862021243221/ . live .
68. News: No joke: Karmo Sanders, the 'Marden's Lady,' wants to run for governor. June 2, 2017. MPBN News. June 3, 2017. June 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170602141300/http://www.centralmaine.com/2017/06/02/no-joke-karmo-sanders-the-mardens-lady-wants-to-run-for-governor/. live.
69. Web site: Would Eliot Cutler run for governor again? 'No, I've taken a vow' . Portland Press Herald . Whit Richardson . April 2, 2015 . April 2, 2015 . April 3, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403160420/http://www.pressherald.com/2015/04/02/would-cutler-run-for-governor-again-no-ive-taken-a-vow/ . live .
70. Web site: LePage Steps up Criticism of Sen. Angus King. Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Mistler. Steve. November 11, 2016. November 17, 2016. November 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161117104506/http://mainepublic.org/post/lepage-steps-criticism-sen-angus-king#stream/0. live.
71. News: Who will run for governor in 2018?. November 17, 2016. Bangor Daily News. November 17, 2016. November 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161118135330/http://leftbrainrightbrain.bangordailynews.com/2016/11/17/home/who-will-run-for-governor-in-2018/. live.
72. News: The 10 governor's seats most likely to flip parties in November . Phillips . Amber . October 10, 2018 . . October 13, 2018 . November 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181125052217/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/10/governors-seats-most-likely-flip-parties-november/?noredirect=on . live .
73. News: Democratic PAC tops $1 million in spending in Maine governor's race . Gallagher . Noel K. . September 17, 2018 . . October 13, 2018 . October 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181013093457/https://www.pressherald.com/2018/09/17/democratic-pac-tops-1-million-in-spending-in-governors-race/ . live .
74. News: He Settled a Sex Discrimination Complaint. Now He Wants to Lead Maine. . Martin . Jonathan . October 12, 2018 . . October 13, 2018 . October 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181012204634/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/12/us/politics/shawn-moody-maine-discrimination.html . live .
75. News: Moody responds to sex discrimination allegation printed in New York Times . Merrill . Paul . October 12, 2018 . . October 13, 2018 . October 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181012154948/https://www.wmtw.com/article/moody-responds-to-sex-discrimination-allegation-printed-in-new-york-times/23734297 . live.
76. News: Independent Alan Caron quits Maine governor's race. Shepherd. Michael. October 29, 2018. Bangor Daily News. October 29, 2018. October 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232717/https://bangordailynews.com/2018/10/29/politics/independent-alan-caron-quits-maine-governors-race/. live.
77. Web site: Live Updates: Democrat Janet Mills Becomes Maine's Next Governor . November 6, 2018 . MainePublic.org . November 7, 2018 . October 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211007114641/https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2018-11-06/election-night-2018-live-blog#stream/0 . live.
78. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings for October 26, 2018. The Cook Political Report. en. 2021-04-10. April 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210410175612/https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings/187543. live.
79. News: The Washington Post's gubernatorial race ratings. The Washington Post. October 16, 2018. October 17, 2018. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151826/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/politics/governors-ratings/. live.
80. Web site: 2018 Governor Forecast FiveThirtyEight. FiveThirtyEight. October 17, 2018. en. October 17, 2018. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151747/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-midterm-election-forecast/governor/#deluxe. live.
81. Web site: 2018 Gubernatorial Ratings Inside Elections. insideelections.com. en. 2017-11-15. April 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210410175611/https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2018-gubernatorial-ratings-november-1-2018. live.
82. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Governor. www.centerforpolitics.org. en-US. 2017-11-15. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151751/https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2018-governor/. live.
83. Web site: 2018 Governor Races. RealClearPolitics. October 9, 2018. October 9, 2018. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151846/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2018/governor/2018_elections_governor_map.html. live.
84. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings. Daily Kos. June 5, 2018.
85. Web site: 2018 Midterm Power Ranking. Fox News. October 7, 2021. October 9, 2018. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151807/https://www.foxnews.com/midterms-2018. live.
86. Web site: Politico Race Ratings. Politico. October 9, 2018. January 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105151814/https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/house-senate-race-ratings-and-predictions/. live.
87. Web site: 2018 Governor Elections: As November Nears, More Governors' Races Become Tossups . Governing . en . 2018-07-18 . October 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181021005343/http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-governors-races-july-ratings.html . dead.
88. Web site: Maine Certificate of Ascertainment 2016. LePage. Paul R.. 2020-01-11. October 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201019115852/https://www.archives.gov/files/electoral-college/2016/ascertainment-maine.pdf. live.