Carter won’t file complaint with ethics panel

PORTLAND – Jonathan Carter of the Green Independent party said Monday he will not file a complaint with the state ethics commission over an alleged violation of state election law by a fellow gubernatorial candidate.

The Press Herald reported on Saturday that several donors to the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Peter Cianchette contributed $8,100 in a way that appeared to violate Maine’s campaign finance law.

Cianchette is not the only gubernatorial candidate to face questions about campaign contributions. Last year Baldacci returned $3,500 after the ethics commission said the donations may not comply with the law.

Carter, who is Maine’s first gubernatorial candidate to forsake private donations and to receive funding under the Clean Elections Act, said the reports point out the problems inherent with traditional fund raising.

Traditional candidates are forced to vie for money, and candidates may be unconsciously affected by the donations when they cast votes.

“This is not to impugn the honesty of Peter or John,” he said. “It’s to show that the influence of money is still strong in this gubernatorial campaign.”

He said all candidates should run as he is under the Clean Elections Act. He also said he would like to require all candidates run with “clean” money, something that now runs afoul of a Supreme Court decision.

Carter said support remains strong for the Clean Elections Act despite a poll last week that suggested Mainers would cut it to eliminate a budget shortfall. He blamed the outcome of the poll on the wording of the question.