March 29, 2024
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Farsaci drops out of race after petition drive fails

AUGUSTA – Nearly all the gubernatorial candidates representing Maine’s three political parties are expected to meet Friday’s 5 p.m. deadline for filing their nomination papers with state election officials.

Steven Farsaci of Farmington said he was unable to gather the 2,000 signatures required to qualify as a Green Independent Party candidate. By dropping out, Farsaci eliminated the potential of a Green Party primary, leaving Jonathan Carter of Lexington Township to carry the party’s standard in November.

Farsaci’s biggest problem was trying to track down 2,000 of the 8,700 Green Independent Party members reportedly registered in the state to sign his petition.

“The difference between Greens and Republicans is that Republicans buy houses and stay put through at least two election cycles whereas Greens like to hide in obscure places and move without leaving forwarding addresses,” he joked Thursday.

A former Green Party congressional and gubernatorial candidate, Carter apparently had a better line on the whereabouts of his fellow Greens. He is scheduled to deliver his signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office today.

“This historic signature collection was accomplished by a door-to-door effort carried out by citizens of all political stripes,” Carter said in a prepared statement. “This was truly a ‘We the people’ effort.”

Unlike political party candidates, the five nonparty hopefuls who have expressed interest in becoming Maine’s next governor have a later deadline. Under Maine election laws, nonparty candidates have until June 3 to collect a minimum of 4,000 signatures from registered voters.

As the Democratic Party’s sole gubernatorial candidate, 2nd Congressional District Rep. John Baldacci submitted 2,500 certified signatures Monday to the Secretary of State’s Office. The Bangor politician said those who signed his petition represented all walks of life from all of Maine’s 16 counties.

Among the three Republicans vying for the Blaine House, former state representative Peter Cianchette of South Portland delivered his nomination papers Wednesday, carrying signatures from more than 100 communities in 16 counties.

“Today makes it official,” Cianchette said in a prepared statement. “I’m pleased with the incredible support my campaign has received to date, and I look forward to building on that support through the primary and on into the general election.”

Former GOP state Sen. Jim Libby of Buxton dropped off his petition papers to the Secretary of State’s Office Thursday and John Hathaway, a former GOP state senator from Kennebunkport, said he would be delivering his petitions today.


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