PORTLAND – A retired University of Southern Maine professor announced Tuesday that he is running as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Olympia Snowe.

Peace activist Bill Slavick said he submitted more than 4,700 signatures on Friday to the Secretary of State’s Office, assuring him of a position on the November ballot.

State election officials had not signed off on Slavick’s signatures as of Tuesday evening, said Doug Dunbar, deputy secretary of state. Unenrolled candidates have until Thursday to submit at least 4,000 signatures to be on the ballot.

If approved, Slavick would face Snowe, who’s seeking a third term, and either of two Democrats, organic farmer Jean Hay Bright of Dixmont or civil rights lawyer Eric Mehnert of Orono. Hay Bright and Mehnert face off in the June 13 primary.

Slavick, 78, has been active in anti-war and peace work for decades, including 19 years as coordinator of Pax Christi Maine, the Catholic and ecumenical peace movement.

At his announcement at the Portland Public Market on Tuesday, Slavick said he is running to draw attention to issues that include the environment, health care, energy and the war in Iraq.

“I run not because I covet being a member of the U.S. Senate – I don’t – or because I think I am the best-qualified person in Maine to serve Maine there – I am confident I am not – but because as a society we have lost direction and our politicians, more often than not, have led us into the wilderness rather than out of it, and I think I can help lead the way out,” he said.

Slavick said he and his wife, Ursula, and volunteers collected signatures in more than 100 towns in Maine, mainly outside of supermarkets. Slavick taught at USM from 1970 to 1995.