Coffman in final push for signatures

AUGUSTA — Rep. Ralph Coffman of Old Town was still trying Monday to collect the 4,000 voter signatures necessary to secure himself a place on the ballot as an independent candidate for governor.

Coffman and supporter Ernest Gallant of Old Town, who earlier this year dropped his independent bid for governor, plan to set up tables on the State House steps today, Election Day, in a final push to get the needed signatures.

By law, the signatures must be turned into the Secretary of State’s Office by 5 p.m. today.

At the same time, Coffman and Gallant said they plan to go to court to get a temporary restraining order that would declare the 4,000-signature threshold to be unfair. Democratic and Republican candidates for governor need only 2,000 voter signatures to get on the primary-election ballot.

Gallant also said the pair plans to challenge the limits on campaign contributions in which independent candidates may get only one $1,000 contribution per donor, but party candidates may get two $1,000 contributions, one for the primary and one for the general election.

The same discrepancy exists for $5,000 donations from PACs, associations and corporations. Party candidates may have two such donations, independents only one.

Coffman and Gallant were looking for an attorney to press their case on Monday.

“I’m not dropping out,” said Coffman. “We plan on being on that ballot. We’re a long ways from 4,000. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll be a write-in.”

Independents Angus King of Brunswick and Jonathan Carter of North New Portland already have turned in enough nominating signatures to win places on the November ballot with the Democratic and Republican nominees, who will be elected today.