2010 gubernatorial prospects take wait-and-see approach

The Blaine House: Speculation is far and wide as to who will live here after 2010. Politicker photo.The list of those speculated to run for governor in 2010 is wide and far-reaching. During a special session Wednesday, PolitickerME had a chance to catch up with a number of state senators on the list.

When asked, most of them remained mum on their ambitions.

Gov. John Baldacci will be termed out, so the 2010 race will be for an open seat.

The closest thing to an admission from any state senator came from Sen. Peter Mills (R-Skowhegan).

“I probably will,” he said.

Mills said he expects a crowded primary field, therefore an tough battle. He ran in 2006, coming in second in a three-way primary with 35 percent, losing to Chandler Woodcock (R-Farmington) who got 38 percent. David Emery (R-St. George) got 26 percent.

Termed out, Senate President Beth Edmonds (D-Freeport) said the state needs a female governor -- but hasn't said it should be her.

“I’m giving myself until the end of the election to relax and not think about it,” she said, referring to her political future.

She said lots of people have talked to her about running, and she is leaving all her options open. She has an active leadership political action committee, currently with $8,000, and said the money will go to the Senate Democrats.

“The next governor is going to be faced with lots of challenges,” Edmonds said. “I think the Bush administration has purposely starved states to death, so whoever is President … is going to have to start repairing that, and it’s not going to be quick, so the governor is going to have to deal with still some very hard times, the turnaround isn’t going to happen immediately.”

At the Republican caucuses last February, Sen. Dana Dow (R-Waldoboro) said he was abandoning his bid to be reelected to the state Senate, and instead would consider running for governor.

On Wednesday, he said he’s still considering. One year from now he will evaluate his situation and make a decision.

When his term ends, he said he plans to go fishing, and relieve his wife from running the family business, Dow Furniture.

“I figure politics is always going to be here,” Dow said. “Politics is like a soap opera. You can be away for six months, come back, and you haven’t missed much.”

Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Windham), a former Secretary of State, denied rumors that he is considering the 2010 governor’s race, saying that he is focused on his reelection bid and it is too soon to make a decision.

Sen. Kevin Raye (R-Perry) also said he hasn’t given much thought to the matter. “I have a tough campaign,” he said. “First things first.”

Sen. Ethan Strimling (D-Portland) is another one rumored to be considering the top job in the state. When asked Wednesday, he laughed. “No,” he said. “Are you?”

In June, Strimling lost a bid for the Democratic nomination for the First Congressional District. He said he is going back to his job leading Portland West, a social service agency. He will also be going to Ohio soon to make a presentation on legislation he sponsored last year to get corporate interests out of local politics. The legislation had failed.

Senate Minority Leader Carol Weston (R-Montville) said she hasn’t given any thought as to what her next endeavor will be when she is term limited in 2010.

Right now she is focused on state Senate races, hoping enough Republicans will win to award her the Senate President seat next year.

“Right now I’m just here,” she said.