Blaine House hopefuls amass nearly $1 million

AUGUSTA – Early donors to Maine’s crowded field of gubernatorial candidates put up nearly $1 million by the end of last year, according to candidate statements and financial disclosure filings.

Democrat John Baldacci, the 2nd District congressman from Bangor who appears to be unopposed for his party’s nomination, built a healthy lead by amassing slightly more than $500,000.

But the full picture of financial resources available to Blaine House hopefuls has yet to be revealed.

For one thing, this is Maine’s first gubernatorial election offering an option of public financing for candidates who agree to forgo most private donations.

A Clean Election candidate theoretically could qualify for up to $1.2 million.

Also to be factored in is the self-financing potential of one or more candidates – certainly, at least, that of independent David Flanagan of Manchester, the former chief of Central Maine Power.

Baldacci’s total of $500,512 was more than twice the $242,000 in contributions reported by Republican Peter Cianchette, a former state legislator from South Portland.

Cianchette, unlike Baldacci, faces intraparty opposition from former legislator Jim Libby of Buxton, who is seeking public financing, and political unknown Jeffrey McKenzie of Rockland.

Flanagan reported this week that $108,000 in loans to his campaign from himself and his wife had boosted his total receipts through Dec. 31 to nearly $167,000.

A second independent hopeful, former legislator John Jenkins of Lewiston, is seeking to qualify as a Clean Election candidate, as are two Green Independent activists – former gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Carter of Lexington Township and Steven Farsaci of Farmington.

A Clean Election candidate for governor must receive a $5 qualifying contribution from at least 2,500 registered voters. The qualifying period, which began Nov. 1, runs through April 15 for party candidates and through June 2 for independents.

Candidates who qualify for public financing receive an initial amount from the Clean Election fund. They subsequently may receive additional amounts – known as “matching funds” – that are equivalent to the amount a privately funded opponent raises or spends above the Clean Election candidate’s initial distribution.