Baldacci far ahead in campaign contributions Reports show governor has raised $199,566, more than double that of all his opponents combined

AUGUSTA – Democratic Gov. John Baldacci has collected more than twice as much in contributions for his re-election campaign as all other candidates combined, according to finance reports filed with the state.

Reports filed by Tuesday’s deadline show that Baldacci’s campaign raised $199,566 in his privately funded campaign for a second Blaine House term. Factoring in expenditures, his campaign had a cash balance of $140,651.

Baldacci’s total in donations is more than double the $87,834 raised by all of the other Blaine House hopefuls who submitted reports to the state Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.

“We’re off to a good start,” Baldacci campaign manager Jesse Connolly said Wednesday, adding that the campaign had surpassed the goal it had set for the first fundraising quarter. “We’re happy about the amount of money we’ve raised.”

Three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination in June. State Sen. Peter Mills of Cornville has raised $39,445 and spent $31,003, while Sen. Chandler Woodcock of Farmington reported raising $12,445 and spending $6,389. Both Mills and Woodcock are seeking to qualify for public financing under the state Clean Election Act.

The third Republican in the race, former congressman David Emery of St. George, has raised $30,717 while spending $7,530, leaving a $23,187 cash balance in his privately funded campaign.

Maine Republican Party Executive Director Mike Leavitt said Baldacci’s numbers weren’t surprising given his status as an incumbent. Leavitt also noted that the disparity in fundraising figures wasn’t surprising because two of the three GOP candidates are running “clean.”

The central purpose of the Clean Election Act is to reduce the emphasis on raising money and controlling campaign spending, said Leavitt.

Emery, a political consultant, said he agreed with Michael Chitwood’s estimate that it will cost at least $2 million to run a gubernatorial campaign. Chitwood, the former Portland police chief, made the statement earlier this month when he announced he would not be a candidate.

The Green Independent Party’s Pat LaMarche of Yarmouth reported $3,080 in contributions, with all but $264 spent, and independent Nancy Oden of Jonesboro reported $2,147 in donations, with all but $613 spent. Both LaMarche and Oden are seeking to qualify for public campaign financing.

The only other candidate reporting to the ethics commission was Bobby Mills of the unofficial Veterans Party, who reported expenditures of just under $40. The Biddeford resident also is listed as a prospective Clean Election candidate.

Prospective Clean Election candidates can collect up to $50,000 in private donations, with no single donation exceeding $100, in “seed money” to start up their campaigns.

In order to qualify for public funding, party-affiliated candidates must collect 2,500 donations of $5 each by April 18. Nonparty, or independent, candidates have until June 2.

The next reporting deadline is May 2.

On the Net: Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices: www.state.me.us/ethics/January2006Reports.htm