Cianchette Drops Out Of Governor’s Race (Maine)

[MaineDem]

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine -- Peter Cianchette, the Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2002, announces that he will not seek his party’s nomination in 2006.

In a statement issued Monday, the South Portland resident said that the commitment needed to run a year-long campaign, then govern the state, was more than he was willing to make at this point in his life.
...

Cianchette’s move leaves veteran state Sen. Peter Mills of Cornville as the only formal GOP candidate to challenge Gov. John Baldacci next year.

http://www.wmtw.com/news/5050921/detail.html?treets=port&tml=port_break&ts=T&tmi=port_break_1_12430210032005

This is MAJOR news here in Maine; news that's just being digested. In an online poll this morning asking for favorite in the Gubernatorial race, Baldacci lead Cianchette (pre-announcement) by about 41 -38%.

VERY interesting!

[davidinalameda]

1. so what are the rumors for him dropping out

if he's only 3 points down, someone has some good dirt on him

[Ediacara]

2. Maybe he doesn't want a repeat of the 2002 smear campaign from the Greens

Where there was aparently an ad with a bunch of Mafia caracatures bitching about Baldacci and Cianchette. Understandibly, both campaigns were beyond outraged.

[MaineDem]

3. He said it was for his family

Odd, since he only announced on September 13 and he (and the family) certainly knew then what a campagin will involve.

He ran the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004. Maybe he wasn't willing to be painted with that brish right now.

Rumor has it Rove was here consulting with him a few weeks ago. Not sure if that means anything.

More to come, I'm sure.