The First Pick For Governor

Forecaster columnist Edgar Allen Beem has been a lightning rod for love/hate letters over past statements. Just look at the recent letters to the Forecaster concerning Beem: “Beem needs a time-out“, “Beem’s ‘satire’ hits the mark“, and “Beem has it all wrong“. Beem’s most recent column is sure to make 16 people very unhappy and one left smiling.

Maine Greens Ready to Rumble

(Cross-posted @Augusta Insider)

Over the past few months the Maine Green Independent Party has locked horns with the Democrats on many issues. The Maine Greens have opposed recent changes to the Maine Clean Election Fund requirements and joined with the Maine GOP in speaking out against the recent tax reforms. Though the Greens have been active in Maine for some time they haven’t had anyone in Augusta since John Eder left in 2006. The Greens are working hard to prove they are a viable alternative to Maine’s Democrats.

Maine women could break gubernatorial glass ceiling

Susan Cover at the Kennebec Journal/Maine Sentinel pointed out an interesting statistic that I had never stopped to consider. Maine has never had a woman governor. Maine is one of twenty-seven states and one of only two New England states (Rhode Island being the other) to have never elected a woman as governor.

This election could, as Cover points out, make history. At this point the list of female candidates includes three Democrats (Donna Dion, Dawn Hill, and Rosa Scarcelli) and one Green Party candidate (Lynne Williams).

Augusta Insider Twitter Update

The Augusta Insider has provided us with the 6th installment of their Gubernatorial Twitter Primary series.

Not a large change from the previous numbers. Matt Jacobson continues to dominate Twitter in number of followers and massive growth. It looks as though the Jacobson will not be giving up his crown as King of Twitter anytime soon.

Newcomer Rosa Scarcelli make an impressive entrance onto the Twitter field. Scarcelli has come right out of the gate with 130 followers, following 131, and 71 tweets. The puts her at the head of the pack in the Dems and third overall. I’m going to give Scarcelli the “Best Start from a Newbie” award.

Here are the current stats from Augusta Insider:

Independent Alex Hammer (@AlexHammer) is following 401, has 337 followers, and 620 Tweets; -31 Followers.

Democrat Dawn Hill (@DawnHillNow) is following 20, has 12 followers, and 1 Tweet.

Republican Matt Jacobson (@jacobson4gov) is following 695, has 968 followers, and 65 Tweets; +214 Followers.

Republican Les Otten (@LesOtten) is following 0, has 40 followers, and 1 Tweets; +10 Followers.

Republican Bruce Poliquin (@BruceForME) is following 85, has 92 followers, and 110 Tweets; -3 Followers.

Democrat Steven Rowe (@Steven_Rowe) is following 0, has 121 followers, and 5 Tweets; +11 Followers.

Democrat Rosa Scarcelli (@rosascarcelli) is following 131, has 130 followers, and 71 Tweets.

Green Independent Lynne Williams (@Lynne4Governor) is following 11, has 38 followers, and 18 Tweets;+2 Followers.

Augusta Insider points out that Peter Mills and Donna Dion are absent from Twitter at this point. Mills cited a Yahoo News Story (TMT Too Much Twitter?) as evidence for why he avoids Twitter. Probably in jest. I’d be surprised if any serious candidate kept away from Twitter entirely at this point.

Two more Dems enter the race

Portland business owner Rosa Scarcelli has stepped up to challenge Steve Rowe and Dawn Hill for the Democratic nomination for governor. Scarcelli has a website, Facebook page, and Twitter ready to go. Not sure if I like the color scheme of her site, but this isn’t a fashion show, not completely at least. More substantial analysis later, I promise.

The next entrant is Donna J. Dion. You may remember Donna J. Dion as mayor of Biddeford from 97 -03. During her term of service Dion was involved in a lawsuit for censoring a local cable access show. I don’t know much about Dion or that event. Maybe someone can chime in with a little more on Biddeford politics? Dion has a basic website set up with a bit of information on her qualifications. I’m sure there will be something more in keeping with the other candidates at some point.