2010 governor

The Maine Clean Elections Act fund may not have enough money for 2010 gubernatorial candidates.

The budget shortfall comes after $4.4 million was "borrowed" from the fund to support various other areas of state government. While there's a clause in place pledging to return the money, it will be up to the incoming legislators to formally transfer the borrowed funds back.

Given the tough budget cycle coming up, there are no guarantees that money will in fact be returned. David Farmer, spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci, said that the chief executive is in the process of putting together a supplemental budget and he could not say what priority clean elections funding will have.

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.