(Main)e Political Report

Campaign Funds

2006-05-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

Campaign Funds

-Baldacci still leads pack in fund raising

By Associated Press Portsmouth Herald

According to Govenor Baldacci's latest finianaial records he is leading in champaign contributions as opesed to his other gubernational opponents."Including donations from the previous reporting period, Baldacci has raised $383,692. Subtracting what the governor’s campaign has spent, Baldacci has $160,982 in cash on hand." As of mid January Baldacci had double the amount of campaign contributions as all of the opponents combined. But this is no longer the case, "Republican state Sens. Peter Mills of Cornville and Chandler Woodcock of Farmington have each received $200,000 by qualifying for public funding through the Clean Election Act." Excludeing expenditures Senator Mills has $159,720 and Mr. Woodcok has $180,507 available."We’re excited about the number of donations that have come from across the state," said Jesse Connolly, campaign manager.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/05032006/maine/100792.htm

An Economic Campaingn

2006-03-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

An Economic Campaingn

After yesterday's key filing deadline passing, that means there's less than three months until the primaries. "The Democratic, Republican and Green Independent candidates for governor are outlining their plans for what some political experts see as the top issue facing the next governor - Maine's economy."Look foreword to seeing six party canidates on the ballet. Running are three Republicans, one Green Independant, and two Democrats."Over the next four years, I think, the economy is probably going to be No. 1," predicted James Melcher, a political scientist at the University of Maine at Farmington. "There's a lot of anxiety" on that front, he said, as job losses make headlines." Points in which Govenor Baldaci makes for his re-election term would be an expanding job market, expanding Pine Tree Zones (tax breaks to business that create jobs for depressed areas), an increase in state school aide, and $1 billion dollars in research and development of innovations. The innovations that Baldacci would like to create would be telecommunting jobs. The sole Democract opponent, Christopher Miller, knows that the economy is the main issue for the state but thinks that we need to "change the way the economy works."

Maine Today
Staff Writer Paul Carrier
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/060316govrace.shtml

Maine's Re-election

2006-02-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

Maine’s Re-election

Baldacci defends record, outlines goals for next term
By Banger News Daily Staff

Making an unofficial stop in Governor Baldacci’s hometown, Husson, this was a challenge for solidarity in this campaign season. Already, there are a dozen challengers for the incumbent. Baldacci spoke to the crowd, “that his administration has made progress - both in "baby steps" and "great strides" - during its first three years and needs to continue its work to keep Maine competitive in a global economy. We've started this, now we must see it finished, Baldacci, who is up for re-election in November, told a group of local business leaders gathered at Husson College.” During the first half hour of the governor’s speech he outlined his continued campaign of attracting retirees to Maine, as well as leading the nation in alternative fuel research and deployment. Rasmussen Reports, an independent national polling firm, polled 500 Maine voters, and with their votes it showed that Baldacci had only 39 percent of the vote. “Upon the poll's release, Mark Ellis, chairman of the Maine Republican Party, issued a statement saying the survey "clearly demonstrates that Mainers recognize and reject the lack of leadership and mismanagement the Baldacci administration and the Democratic majority have brought to state government." "The governor is an extremely hard-working man who comes into work every day and isn't always looking for the credit he deserves," said Jesse Connolly, Baldacci's campaign manager. With this statement by Jesse Connolly, the Governor needs to continue his campaign swiftly and to the point. Baldacci needs to remind the citizens of Maine of his previous successes and the successes of the future with his reelection.

http://www.bangordailynews.com

Sitting Governor

2006-02-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

Sitting Governor

“Baldacci reiterates opposition to governor pay raise”
By Village Soup Staff

Representative Gary Moore, Republican, from Standish, Maine, is sponsoring a bill to increase the yearly salary of Maine’s Governor. Currently, Maine has the lowest paid head of state position in the nation. The Governor’s annual salary is $70,000 including benefits, and with this new bill the salary will increase to $150,000 yearly, as well as, include benefits. Maine’s state and local government committee had voted to make the raise to the level of median family income. “Gov. John Baldacci has reiterated his opposition to a proposed bill to raise the governor's salary. Let me make myself clear that I will veto any pay increase," Baldacci said. "Until teachers' salaries, health care and roadways have been taken care of, the governor will not receive a pay increase." Whether or not the bill will pass, a sitting governor can not vote on his or her own pay increase under Maine’s Constitution.

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/news/Print.cfm?StoryID=67723

The Start

2006-01-25T08:40:00.000-08:00

According to George Smith, of the Morning Sentinel, “This is going to be a terrific campaign -- entertaining and maybe even enlightening.” In response to last Wednesday’s speech, the rift between the Republicans and Democrats have broken down to viewing each other as “Mr. Happy and Mr. Grumpy.” During the state address Governor Baldacci, expressed all of his success during office, which ranged from healthcare, income tax exemption, state spending, and economic development. "Over the past four years, state government spending has grown at just over 3 percent," Baldacci said. "That's the lowest increase in spending in over 30 years." Not only did Governor Baldacci outline the rest of 2006 but has given his outlook for the next five years if he wins the re-election. Some of the topics that were addressed included healthcare (DirigoChoice), job development, and energy. David E. Bowles, House Republican Leader, notes, “Maine has a spending problem, and increased taxes and fees have hurt Mainers.” "It doesn't matter if you take it out of the left pocket or right pocket," Bowles said, "it still comes out of the same pair of pants." Healthcare is a controversial topic in Maine, David Emory (R), candidate for election, sees DirigoChoice as “unsustainable”. With this comment Governor Baldacci said he will hire an expert to examine DirigoChoice and it’s complacencies. There are many opponents running against Baldacci and none of them seem to speak kindly of him. “If you are happy Nov. 7 and join the governor in his optimist outlook, he will easily win re-election. If you are grumpy that day, he is in trouble.”

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/view/columns/2363493.shtml
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

Re-elect Govenor John Elias Baldacci

2006-01-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.wcsh6.com/assetpool/images/04121144657_John%20Baldacci.jpg