In Maine, there are no less than eight declared third party and independent candidates for governor this year: Sam Bailey (I), Alex Hammer (I), Lynne Williams (G), Eliot Cutler (I), Christopher Cambron (I), Beverly Cooper-Pete (I), Augustus Edgerton (I) and John Whitcomb (I). At the Augusta Insider, Derek Viger is following this race very closely, and has summed up the state of the contest in a recent post on “What’s Next”:

While the Democrats and Republicans are duking it out for their parties’ nomination, the unenrolled and Green Party candidates will have an opportunity to drive a wedge. This would be the perfect chance for Eliot Cutler or Lynne Williams to lure those coveted unenrolled voters to their sides. They may benefit from the large number of choices presented to each party. Regardless of the outcome of the party primaries, Cutler or Williams could scoop up dissatisfied voters who see their parties’ choice as unviable.

Though the burden of proof ultimately lies with the candidates, voters should do their part as well. You can be cut some slack for not paying close attention before now. The time for serious consideration is approaching. Do your research. Know the candidates. There are a lot of them out there. Be sure the candidate you vote for in the primary truly supports your positions.

The Augusta Insider has also interviewed a number of gubernatorial hopefuls, including independent Eliot Cutler and Green Independent Lynne Williams.  In his interview, Cutler states:

What sets me apart from the other candidates is my vision for Maine, my experience, my independence and my proven ability to make tough decisions.

The next decade is going to be the most challenging time in Maine’s history. Too many Maine people are not working or are working at jobs that don’t allow them to adequately provide for their families. At the same time, as a state we are spending too much and our government is not working efficiently or effectively . . .

As I travel our state, I hear one conviction repeated over and over and again: The same partisan politics that got us into this mess will never get us out of it. I am running as an Independent, because I am convinced that real change will only come if Maine has a leader who can move beyond the tired rivalries that have left our major parties beholden to narrow interest groups and starved for new ideas.

In the Williams interview, she states:

For decades, my work has involved supporting the struggles of communities to make their voices heard over the din of commands coming down from central government. I am not against state government at all, but believe that the appropriate role of state government is to legislate the basic protections for Mainers, in the areas of civil and human rights, environmental protection, education and other areas of statewide concern. However, the role of the state is not to dictate that local municipalities may not pass ordinances that are more protective than the statutes legislated in Augusta . . .

As a Green Independent, I cannot honestly state – as independent candidates will undoubtedly state about themselves – that I reject parties and the role that parties play in political campaigns and governance. That said, however, the Green Party is very different than the two corporate parties, which have essentially become the liberal and conservative wing of one party. They both operate within a power structure that must be changed. The Green Party seeks to effectuate that change.

Cross-posted with additions from TPID.