A dozen Republican and Democratic candidates for governor will be on the ballot in June. Major party candidates had until yesterday at 5:00 p.m. to submit the necessary signature petitions to the Secretary of State's office.
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap says a dozen of them made the deadline for turning in at least 2,000 signatures from registered voters and have qualified for the primary, scheduled for June 8.
Five Democrats will be on the primary ballot, including former Maine Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan, state Senate President Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell, former state Economic Development Commissioner John Richardson, former Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe and housing manager Rosa Scarcelli.
Seven Republicans will vie for the GOP nomination. They include former chief of staff for Sen. Susan Collins Steve Abbott, retired Husson College President William Beardsley, Maine & Co. CEO Matthew Jacobson, Waterville Mayor Paul LePage, state Sen. Peter Mills, entrepreneur Les Otten and business investor Bruce Poliquin.
Green Independent Party candidate Lynne Williams failed to get the needed signatures and will not be on the ballot.
Altogther, Dunlap says 551 individuals have filed as candidates for the June 8, 2010 primary elections for various federal, state and county offices. He says 426 candidates for the 186 seats in the Maine Legislature submitted petitions, and 109 candidates are seeking various county offices.
For a complete list of the candidates, click here.