Augusta -
We could be headed for a rematch between Paul LePage and Eliot Cutler in the 2014 race for the Blaine House.
Both men have taken the first steps toward running again.
Eliot Cutler announced Wednesday he has filed paperwork with the state ethics commission for the 2014 race. On his Facebook page Cutler wrote:
"Friends - As you probably know, I am considering a candidacy for governor in 2014 and will make a decision later this year. Until then, I will be traveling around Maine, meeting with people, listening to their ideas and concerns, and talking with them about the challenges that compelled me to run in 2010 and still confront us today.
As I will be accepting contributions from people who are encouraging me to run, as well as incurring expenses, I have filed a campaign committee to ensure that I am following the letter and spirit of Maine's election laws as I lay the groundwork for what would be another vigorous campaign to provide Maine people with the kind of leadership our state needs and deserves."
Governor LePage has also filed with the commission according to his campaign advisor Brent Littlefield. Littlefield called Cutler's possible gubernatorial run in 2014 "the worst kept secret in the history of Maine politics."
In 2010, Cutler lost a close race to LePage. The final tally in 2010 had LePage narrowly winning with 38.3% of the vote to Eliot Cutler's 36.5%. LePage had a big lead in early polling before Cutler gathered the momentum and nearly rode it to victory.
Thursday, Littlefield downplayed the small margin of victory for LePage in 2010 and dismissed the notion Cutler seized the momentum three years ago. "That's what Eliot Cutler would like to believe," Littlefield said. "Now we have a record of Governor LePage lowering Maine's unemployment rate and starting to fix Maine's budget and making the tough choices. And Eliot Cutler has a record of earning a significant amount of money as a lobbyist and I think that's a good contrast for the voters."
Cutler says polling done after last year's elections helped persuade him to run.
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