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Independent Candidates Gather At State House

Independent candidates for governor, Congress and the Legislature were at the State House in Augusta Monday to compare notes on running as independents.

Several candidates pointed out that while they are all unenrolled, they don’t all agree on issues. But state Rep. Kent Ackley of Monmouth, who is seeking re-election, says they do share an overarching belief.

“One of the things the independents all agree on is that we should keep talking. And that is what is missing from Augusta,” he says.

Some are running with public financing, others are fundraising as traditional candidates. They say that instead of the usual campaign signs and ads, it’s more important to campaign door to door and to talk with voters.

Not all have filed petitions to get on the ballot yet, but if they are successful in collecting signatures, there could be more than 20 independent candidates after the filing deadline June 1.

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.