AUGUSTA, Maine — Former Gov. Angus King turned in more than 5,800 signatures Tuesday to qualify for November’s ballot as a U.S. Senate candidate.
Ten campaign volunteers who collected the most signatures for the ex-governor accompanied King to the secretary of state’s office in Augusta to submit the petitions. King needs 4,000 valid signatures to qualify as an independent candidate in the race to replace Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, who announced in late February that she wouldn’t seek re-election.
King’s campaign said volunteers collected about 6,400 signatures from voters in every Maine county. State law allows the campaign to submit no more than 6,000.
At a campaign event before submitting the signatures, King suggested he could be an instrumental member of a “centrist coalition” of senators who work together to break Senate logjams on important issues.
“I think there’s an opportunity for a small group who can have a great impact on modern history,” King told a crowd of supporters at the State House.
King has refused to say whether he plans to caucus with Senate Democrats, Republicans or neither party if elected, and he said Tuesday that a senator without a party can exert influence in the 100-member body.
If Maine voters elect him, King said, “that in itself will send an important message to Washington.”
King will be one of at least three nonparty candidates in November’s Senate election. Brunswick resident Danny Dalton and Yarmouth Town Council chairman Steve Woods submitted their petitions and qualified for the ballot earlier this month, said Julie Flynn, the deputy secretary of state who heads the office’s Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions.
Tea party activist Andrew Ian Dodge, who has also said he will run for the Senate seat as an independent, has made a Wednesday appointment with the secretary of state’s office, Flynn said.
Independent candidates have until Friday at 5 p.m. to submit at least 4,000 signatures.
Republicans and Democrats will make their picks for the Senate race on June 12.
Real clear politics states: “Former Gov. Angus King is likely to caucus with the Democrats if he wins the open Maine seat in November.”
So who is he kidding? King is a a moderate-to-liberal “Democrat” by all his actions. Are the Real Democrats going to just simply ride it out or secretly support King? Will this be another repeat of the 2010 governor’s election? Come on, Democrats…Grow some!
They have them stored somewhere else. and only take them out when told.
First Wind sends King to run for Senate seat – big taxpayer dollars at stake.
CMP sent him to run for Gov.
“A “centrist coalition” of senators who work together to break Senate logjams on important issues”? Riiiiight. There are fewer than ever, isn’t that why Snowe is bailing? And our own Gus seems to think history will see him as the one to stand athwart the Senate? Big dreams, Wind Boy, big dreams.
Olympia, please, please, please reconsider.
Seriously Winterporter, why would you want to give Olympia more time to further destroy the USA?
Destroy?
The problem with independent candidates is you never know whose side they’re on.
I think it’s optimal to be on the side of the state and country as a whole, as opposed to the side of just one party.
ONLY IN MAINE
The only way we can brweak the current logjam is by electing people like him. I’m voting for him on the hope we can start something. All of the R’s seem to be crooked, and all of the D’s…. seem….
I really hope that Maine voters take a good long hard look at Gov. King’s record before they cast their ballot. Fact: the state budget nearly doubled under his leadership, and he (and Gov. Baldacci) greatly contributed to the recent budget crises. At a time when we need to pare back the size and scope of government, Gov. King’s spending record must be fully examined and considered.
I do not care to speculate on the accusations of First Wind cronyism, because I do not know the facts behind them. However, the state budget numbers from 1992-2000 are there for all to read. That is all we need to know.
The last person we need representing Maine in DC at this critical juncture is a big spender who is so unprincipled that he will not admit to his liberal leanings. C’mon, Angus, declare who you will caucus with, already. Why play this like some sort of silly reality show?
Please consider the best conservative candidate for this office. Thank you.
I have, and he has my vote and a lot of other peoples to. We are sick and tired of the repubs blocking our president and protecting the wealthiest 1%. We have people starveing and homeless and they could care less. I am darn near sixty years old and have watched them almost totally distroying this country makeing sure the rich get more and the poor get poorer. Because of the republican agender there is no more middle class only the haves and have nots. So watch out in november
You have bought into the media meme that Democrats do not represent the wealthiest class. Have a look at Connecticut’s voting record (where most of Wall St. lives), not to mention L.A. and the rest of the left coast. These rich guilty preeners vote Democrat.
The reason the poor get poorer is that by voting Dem they can continue to wring the teat that they expect will feed them. That teat is now wrung dry. Inevitable.
What to see the future? Look to California. Look to Europe. Too many people are clamoring aboard the lifeboats, while more and more are letting go of the paddles.
Please vote conservative. It is our only hope. Thank you.
Suggestion: put your energy into freeing up the American taxpayer to support those causes they actually care to support, not those we are forced to support.
For me, I loath cutting checks to MRS and IRS to fund the annual 300,000+ murders of innocent life my tax dollars fund in support of Planned Parenthood.
We are much better served by paying United Way or some other charitable channel 14% to support those causes we vote for, not are forced to fund at the end of the MRS/IRS gun.
I AM watching out for November and the Republican agender.
Our only hope is to reject the media Pablum this this and other fine gentlemen care to feed us.
Please vote conservative. Please!
he is one of the 1%.
ONLY IN MAINE, JUST LOOK AT YOUR GOV NOW ENOUGH SAID
You are right on the mark. Well said.
According to the stickers on the boxes, he shall henceforth be known to one and all as ANGUS (the KING?) To peasants and others who think otherwise he shall be known as Angus The Wind or to those who consider politics a horse race, Brunswick’s Breezy Boy. As our democracy sinks into the money mire, yea, all our wise lords and ladies, seers and sorcerers alike will be known solely by their first names, like their predecessors, the desert madmen in the scriptures. And We the Gullible shall get our just deserts. At least we’ll be entertained with juicy amusements, and as long we we’re titillated or kept busy fighting over coins tossed from on high they shall rule as they damned well please. It might not be “written”, but it might as well be.
I for one would and will vote for angus. It appears from all the republicants and tea baggers slinging thier b s that they must be really scared of his chances of winning the vote for senator. They have held this seat for way to long. Our president would be able to get more done except that the repubs keep useing the filabuster to destroy his presidencey. They need to realize that the people are paying close attn. They will pay for it in november.
Obama’s Presidency is a mess. King, will just mess it up more with him, hopefully neither will make it. Should be a law against two Democrats running for the Senate.
Headline from BDN- King Scratches His Posterior- film at 11…LOL
So the democrats are going to have two candidates in the Senate race officially.
I served in the Legislature with Gov King and while I appreciated his demeaner and leadership, other than Worker’s Compensation reform, he generally rolled over for King John Martin and Legislative Democrats.
Also, he did do a reasonably good job of appointing staff and Commissioners who were as good as any we’ve had over the past few decades. His DEP Commissioner was one of the best Maine has had in far too long.
At the same time, I fear Senator King would roll over for the likes of Harry Reid, who’ll do whatever it takes to force King to do Harry’s bidding. On the other hand, should Harry lose his job, King just might be pragmatic and go along with the Majority Party next year.
Afterall, most of King’s ties, family-wise, have leaned toward Democrats than anyone else. Likewise, it might be telling to discover the political ties of his signature-getters.
The man is a fraud.
It is early yet. Anything can happen. Angus King will eventually have to speak to his record as Governor. It’s only May, people. Just wait and see what happens. I, for one, can’t wait to watch.
Seems the Secretary of State should be resigning if he’s a candidtae…conflict of interest if Sec of State oversees elections…
Truly amazing that he could gather enough signatures after what he has done to our state. How the masses quickly forget. This is almost as bad as voting for Richardson for sheriff. Let us all hope that he gets to go back to his Virgin Island mansion after the election, built on Maine tax dollars from his past.
I no longer believe in our outdated 2 party system. I will admit I have been a dem my entire life but……having read and re-read, researched and reviewed, I can’t vote for Obama and I did the first time around. He put in some people in high level positions that have no business being there. Of course,I know it’s the political favor fee. I have always voted for the person and never the party, I was a dem so I could vote in the primaries, only. Now, I will take my vote and place it on whom ever is running that has no experience in government. This is the only way that I can see that we may get a honest person, in. We need bring back the draft, so we can get the brightest and the best, to help our and their country. Where is there a Davy Crockett, these days.