AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) — After months of early campaigning, the final list of primary candidates for Governor of Maine is now set, and the list is shorter than it used to be.
March 15 was the deadline for party candidates to file their nominating petitions with the Secretary of State.
All five Republican candidates turned in at least the required 2,000 signatures:
• Ken Fredette
• Garrett Mason
• Mary Mayhew
• Shawn Moody
• Mike Thibodeau
On the Democratic side, several candidates had previously dropped out and at least one said Thursday he could not collect enough signatures.
Seven Democratic candidates did make the June primary ballot:
• Adam Cote
• Donna Dion
• Mark Dion
• Mark Eves
• Janet Mills
• Diane Russell
• Betsy Sweet
According to the Secretary of State, no Green Independent party gubernatorial candidate turned in petitions by the deadline, and neither did anyone from the Libertarian party.
There are at least three independents actively running for governor, but they don't need to turn in petitions until primary day in June.
There will also be a busy Democratic primary race for Maine's 2nd Congressional District. Jonathan Fulford, Jared Golden, Craig Olsen and Lucas St. Clair all qualified for the 2nd District ballot. The winner will turn against incumbent Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin in November.
