Eliot Cutler
Eliot R. Cutler was an independent candidate for Governor of Maine in the 2014 elections. He formally launched his second consecutive gubernatorial campaign on September 24, 2013.[1][2] Cutler was embroiled in a rematch with current incumbent Paul LePage (R), to whom he lost the governorship in the 2010 general election by a margin of less than two percentage points. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. Eliot Cutler lost the general election on November 4, 2014.
Biography
Cutler's early career involved service with U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie (D) and an appointment by President Jimmy Carter (D) to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in 1977. He later founded the law firm Cutler & Stanfield, and worked as a partner with the firm until 2009 and an attorney until 2012.[3]
Bildung
- Bachelor's degree - Harvard College
- Juris Doctor - Georgetown University[3]
Elections
2014
- See also: Maine gubernatorial election, 2014
Cutler ran for Governor of Maine in 2014. When he officially entered the race on September 24, 2013, Cutler had already been labeled as the presumptive independent candidate.[4] He faced first-term incumbent Gov. Paul LePage (R) and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D) in the general election.[5] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Results
| Governor of Maine, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Paul LePage Incumbent |
48.2% | 294,519 | |
| Democratic | Mike Michaud | 43.4% | 265,114 | |
| Independent | Eliot Cutler | 8.4% | 51,515 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0% | 79 | |
| Total Votes | 611,227 | |||
| Election results via Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions | ||||
Campaign media
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Endorsements
Cutler received the endorsements of state Sen. Patrick Flood (R) prior to the general election.[6]U.S. Sen. Angus King (I) endorsed Cutler in August, but switched his support to U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D) in the waning days of the campaign.[7][8]
Race background
Paul LePage ran for a second term as governor in 2014.[9][10] The Republican was widely considered one of the most vulnerable gubernatorial incumbents facing re-election that year. Sources ranging from Governing, Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, The Washington Post, and Daily Kos rated the 2014 Maine governor's race as a toss-up.[11][12][13][14] In June 2013, after Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud launched his bid for the office, LePage briefly indicated interest in running for Michaud's seat in the U.S. House in 2014. LePage ultimately sought and won re-election as governor.[15][16]
Independent candidate Cutler's decision to remain in race
Polls published in October 2014 led supporters of Michaud to call for Cutler's withdrawal from the gubernatorial race. Cutler, who had lost to LePage by 1.7% in 2010, averaged about 13% in October polls gathered by Ballotpedia, while LePage and Michaud each approached 40%. He announced plans the same month to remain in the race and stated, "Anyone who has supported me but who now worries that I cannot win and is thereby compelled by their fears or by their conscience to vote instead for Mr. LePage or Mr. Michaud should do so."[17]
Following Cutler's decision to remain in the race, U.S. Sen. Angus King (I), who had endorsed Cutler in August, switched his support to U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud because "the voters of Maine are not prepared to elect Eliot in 2014."[18][19]
Campaign finance decision in district court
An August 22 decision by U.S. District Court Judge D. Brock Hornby regarding campaign finance limits in Maine led to a temporary shift in campaign finance regulations that impacted the 2014 race. Hornby ruled that a group of four donors to the campaign of independent candidate Eliot Cutler could go beyond a $1,500 per person limit on general election contributions for unaffiliated candidates. Democratic and Republican candidates in Maine have a higher contribution limit. Both major-party candidates did not face primary challenges in 2014, though the individual limit reset after the statewide primary on June 10.[20]
Attorneys representing the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices defended the contribution limits, citing their ability to reduce corrupt practices. The state's attorneys also argued that supporters could use PACs to support their preferred candidates. Hornby dismissed these arguments, noting that the existing limitation treated contributors differently based on their political leanings. The decision left open the question of whether all donors to Cutler could contribute $3,000 ahead of the general election, or if the ruling focused on the four plaintiffs. The donors who brought the original lawsuit had promised to pursue further action to enshrine Hornby's decision into state law.[20]
The Maine Ethics Commission voted unanimously on August 27, 2014, not to enforce the $1,500 limit for each election, opting instead for a $3,000 per individual limit for the 2014 election cycle. The board's decision only applied to the 2014 election, and the Maine State Legislature would need to act for similar changes in future elections.[21] As of July 2017, no such changes were made.
Campaign finance complaints dismissed
The Maine Democratic Party filed an ethics complaint in early October against LePage, claiming that the governor used state property as part of his re-election campaign. The complaint argued that a campaign spokesperson used a state-funded vehicle in order to reach election-related events. The state Republican Party countered with a complaint against Michaud, accusing the U.S. House member of using federal campaign money for his gubernatorial campaign. The Maine Ethics Commission unanimously rejected further investigation of both claims on October 10, 2014.[22]
Michaud campaigns as openly gay candidate
On November 4, 2013, after establishing himself as the race's front-runner, Michaud disclosed in an op-ed column submitted to three of the state’s major news outlets that he was gay.[23] Michaud emphasized that his sexuality was irrelevant to his ability to perform in public office. He said he came out in response to "whisper campaigns, insinuations and push-polls some of the people opposed to my candidacy have been using to raise questions about my personal life."[23] This put Michaud in the running to become the first openly gay man or woman to be elected governor in the nation's history, though he ultimately lost to Gov. LePage.
Debates
October 8 debate
Paul LePage (R), Mike Michaud (D), and Eliot Cutler (I) discussed the state's economy during a debate on October 8, 2014. LePage said that the state's budget and repayments to state hospitals were examples of his first-term successes. He also argued that Democratic legislators had not delivered on past promises.[24]
Michaud countered that he was the only candidate on stage who had worked with Democrats and Republicans during his time in the United States House of Representatives. He also claimed that LePage was argumentative with state legislators and that this was a reason to replace him in the governor's office. Cutler argued that voters had an opportunity to reject what he called failed policies from Republican and Democratic governors by casting ballots for his independent candidacy.[24]
Polls
General election match-ups (October 2014)
| 2014 Maine gubernatorial election- Three-way race | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Mike Michaud (D) | Paul LePage* (R) | Eliot Cutler (I) | Undecided or refused | Margin of error | Sample size | |||||||||||||
| Ipsos Poll (October 23-29, 2014) | 42% | 42% | 13% | 2% | +/-3.5 | 1,005 | |||||||||||||
| Magellan Strategies (October 23-24, 2014) | 41.6% | 42.3% | 13.2% | 2.9% | +/-3.32 | 869 | |||||||||||||
| New York Times/CBS News/YouGov (October 16-23, 2014) | 37% | 35% | 7% | 21% | +/-5 | 1,177 | |||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (October 22-23, 2014) | 40% | 40% | 17% | 3% | +/-3.6 | 660 | |||||||||||||
| Maine Sunday Telegram/Portland Press Herald (October 15-21, 2014) | 35% | 45% | 16% | 4% | +/-3.8 | 639 | |||||||||||||
| Bangor Daily News/Ipsos (October 6-12, 2014) | 42% | 36% | 16% | 6% | +/-3.5 | 1,004 | |||||||||||||
| Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (October 5-7, 2014) | 43% | 39% | 15% | 3% | +/-4 | 605 | |||||||||||||
| New York Times/CBS News/YouGov {September 20-October 1, 2014} | 39% | 37% | 10% | 13% | +/-3 | 1,531 | |||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 39.95% | 39.54% | 13.4% | 6.86% | +/-3.72 | 936.25 | |||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]. | |||||||||||||||||||
General election match-ups (August 2013-September 2014)
| 2014 Maine gubernatorial election - Three-way race | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Mike Michaud (D) | Paul LePage* (R) | Eliot Cutler (I) | Undecided or refused | Margin of error | Sample size | |||||||||||||
| Pan Atlantic SMS Group (September 23-29, 2014) | 33.6% | 39.3% | 19.5% | 7.8% | +/-4.9 | 400 | |||||||||||||
| Portland Press Herald (September 18-25, 2014) | 40% | 38% | 12% | 10% | +/-4.4 | 482 | |||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (September 9, 2014) | 43% | 42% | 11% | 4% | +/-3 | 1,059 | |||||||||||||
| Rasmussen Reports (September 3-4, 2014) | 43% | 39% | 15% | 4% | +/-4 | 750 | |||||||||||||
| Maine People's Resource Center (July 26-28, 2014) | 42.6% | 41.4% | 12.6% | 3.4% | +/-3.47 | 796 | |||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (May 5-6, 2014) | 43% | 39% | 15% | 3% | +/-- | 754 | |||||||||||||
| Rasmussen Reports (April 23-25, 2014) | 40% | 40% | 14% | 6% | +/-3.0 | 830 | |||||||||||||
| The Pan Atlantic SMS Group (March 31- April 5, 2014) | 37.3% | 38.6% | 20.3% | 3.7% | +/-4.9 | 400 | |||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (April 1-2, 2014) | 44% | 37% | 14% | 5% | +/-- | 583 | |||||||||||||
| Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (January 13-23, 2014) | 45% | 32% | 18% | 5% | +/-- | 400 | |||||||||||||
| Public Policy Poll (November 8-11, 2013) | 38% | 36% | 15% | 10% | +/-3.2 | 964 | |||||||||||||
| Maine People's Resource Center (September 8-10, 2013) | 40% | 34% | 16.8% | 9.1% | +/-3.84 | 652 | |||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (August 23-25, 2013) | 39% | 35% | 18% | 8% | +/-3.2 | 953 | |||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 40.65% | 37.79% | 15.48% | 6.08% | +/-2.38 | 694.08 | |||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]. | |||||||||||||||||||
Note: An asterisk (*) is used to denote incumbent status
Hypothetical and other match-ups
| 2014 Maine gubernatorial election - Two-way race | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Mike Michaud (D) | Paul LePage* (R) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Portland Press Herald (June 12-18, 2014) | 51% | 44% | 4% | +/-3.9 | 625 | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Poll (November 8-11, 2013) | 53% | 39% | 8% | +/-3.2 | 964 | ||||||||||||||
| Maine People's Resource Center (September 8-10, 2013) | 55.9% | 36.1% | 7.9% | +/-3.84 | 652 | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (August 23-25, 2013) | 54% | 39% | 7% | +/-3.2 | 953 | ||||||||||||||
| Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research/National Education Association (July 11-16, 2013) | 61% | 34% | 5% | +/-4.9 | 400 | ||||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 54.98% | 38.42% | 6.38% | +/-3.81 | 718.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]. | |||||||||||||||||||
Note: An asterisk (*) is used to denote incumbent status
| Hypothetical Match-up Poll | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Mike Michaud (D) | Paul LePage* (R) | Eliot Cutler (I) | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Portland Press Herald (June 12-18, 2014) | 40% | 36% | 15% | +/-3.9 | 625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]. | |||||||||||||||||||
Note: An asterisk (*) is used to denote incumbent status
| Hypothetical Match-up Poll | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Eliot Cutler (I) | Paul LePage* (R) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Portland Press Herald (June 12-18, 2014) | 50% | 38% | 9% | +/-3.9 | 625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]. | |||||||||||||||||||
Note: An asterisk (*) is used to denote incumbent status
2010
Cutler faced Elizabeth Mitchell (D), Paul LePage (R), Kevin L. Scott (I) and Shawn H. Moody (I) in the general election on November 2, 2010.
| Governor of Maine, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Paul LePage |
37.6% | 218,065 | |
| Democratic | Elizabeth Mitchell | 18.8% | 109,387 | |
| Independent | Eliot R. Cutler | 35.9% | 208,270 | |
| Independent | Shawn H. Moody | 5% | 28,756 | |
| Independent | Kevin L. Scott | 1% | 5,664 | |
| Others | Various | 0.5% | 2,624 | |
| Blanks | - | 1.3% | 7,772 | |
| Total Votes | 580,538 | |||
| Election results via Maine Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign themes
2014
Cutler's 2014 campaign focused on themes including creating an effective brand for state tourism, reforming property taxation and improving the state's economy.[25]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Cutler and his wife, Melanie, have two adult children.[3]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Eliot + Cutler + Maine + Governor"
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Michaud leads in Maine gubernatorial race," August 27, 2013
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Independent Eliot Cutler announces run for governor in Bangor," September 24, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cutler for Maine, "FAQ," accessed September 30, 2014
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, "Leery of third-place pattern, Democrats already have eyes on Blaine House," November 20, 2012
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2013-2014 Gubernatorial Races," March 4, 2013
- ↑ Maine Sun Journal, "Republican Flood throws support to independent Cutler in Maine governor's race," August 6, 2014
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "King endorses fellow independent Cutler for Maine governor," August 19, 2014
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, "Angus King switches endorsement from Cutler to Michaud," October 29, 2014
- ↑ Maine Biz, "LePage eyes long-term goals, says 2014 run likely," May 8, 2013
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2013-2014 Gubernatorial Races," March 4, 2013
- ↑ University of Virginia Center for Politics: Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2013-2014 Gubernatorial Races," April 29, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post, "The Fix's top gubernatorial races," September 27, 2013
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections gubernatorial race ratings: Initial ratings for 2013-14," October 6, 2013
- ↑ Governing Politics, "2013-2014 Governor's Races: Who's Vulnerable?" December 12, 2012
- ↑ The Morning Sentinel, "LePage: Sorry if you were offended," June 24, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post blogs, "Rep. Mike Michaud steps into Maine governors race," June 13, 2013
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, "Cutler staying in race, insists Mainers should ‘vote their conscience’," October 29, 2014
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "King endorses fellow independent Cutler for Maine governor," August 19, 2014
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, "Angus King switches endorsement from Cutler to Michaud," October 29, 2014
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 USA Today, "Judge: Cutler donors can increase contributions," August 23, 2014
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Maine Ethics Commission changes donor limit rule in governor’s race," August 27, 2014
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, "Maine ethics panel dismisses complaints in governor’s race," October 11, 2014
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Portland Press Herald, "Maine governor candidate Mike Michaud: I’m gay ," November 4, 2013
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Reuters, "Maine governor, Democratic challenger face off amid tight race," October 8, 2014
- ↑ Cutler for Maine, "Issues," accessed September 30, 2014
