Maine gubernatorial election, 1974
Encyclopedia
The 1974 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic
Governor Kenneth M. Curtis
was term limited and could not seek re-election. Independent
candidate James B. Longley
defeated Democratic Party
challenger (and future Senate Majority Leader) George J. Mitchell
, and Republican
James S. Erwin in a tight three-way contest. Longley's victory made him the first Independent Governor in Maine's history.
in the Democratic primary, and had the backing of popular former Governor, and then Maine Senator Edmund Muskie
. Many Maine political observers believed he would be able to easily beat back the challenge from James Erwin and become Maine's next Governor.
Mitchell ran on the campaign theme "There are two Maines. There should only be one.". He argued that Maine was a gorgeous state with rich natural resources and was a thriving tourist destination, but at the same time it had high unemployment and a large number of Maine families lived below the poverty line. His campaign focuses on ways to bring together the two Maines - a place with a protected environment and a strong economy.
was the owner of a successful insurance agency in Lewiston
, who got his first opportunity in statewide politics when then Governor Kenneth M. Curtis
asked him to lead a state government commission called The Maine Management and Cost Survey Commission, which was intended to make government more efficient, and cut costs. After some initial reluctance, Longley accepted the position and pursued the job with vigor.
Longley made several recommendations that were projected to save the state in excess of $24 million dollars. One of his major proposals included restructuring the Maine university system, which he felt was grossly inefficient. His work at the commission gave him a prominent state wide profile, something he decided to try to turn into an electoral mandate when Governor Curtis retired in 1974.
Longley had been a life long Democrat
, but due to earning a maverick reputation acting in a non-partisan role on the cost-cutting commission and because he inadvertently missed the filing deadline for party candidates, he ran as an Independent
. Some Maine observers believed he knew he would be unable to beat both former Muskie
adviser George Mitchell
and state Senator
Joseph Brennan
in a Democratic primary, causing him to not file with a party. He ran on the slogan "Think About It," a phrase he often used with insurance customers to get them to consider his products.
Longley campaigned on a platform of cutting government and making it more efficient, hoping to capitalize on the reputation he had earned with the commission. However, he struggled to get attention in the race, as most media outlets focused on Mitchell and James Erwin (who had run for Governor the previous cycle as well). Toward the tail end of the campaign, however, increased attention was focused on Longley, with newspapers profiling his candidacy and speculating that he was on par with the other two candidates. When the Bangor Daily News
issued an endorsement of Longley, many observers believe it gave Longley instant legitimacy.
poll three days before the election showed Mitchell and Erwin running neck and neck, with Longley trailing by double digits. However, that same poll noted that 37 percent of the electorate was still undecided, leaving open the possibility that they could swing any direction at the last minute.
On Election Day, Longley won with 39 percent of the vote, followed by Mitchell at 36 percent, and Erwin with 23 percent.
Mitchell attributed his loss to "distrust and cynicism about politics and politicians," "widespread concern over
the economy", and "the fact that James Longley had conducted a very excellent campaign."
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth Merwin Curtis is an American lawyer and former politician. He is currently a principal in the law firm of Curtis Thaxter Stevens Broder & Micoleau Limited Liability Company, P.A....
was term limited and could not seek re-election. Independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
candidate James B. Longley
James B. Longley
James Bernard Longley, Sr. was an American politician. He served as the 69th Governor of Maine from 1975 to 1979, and was the first Independent to hold the office. In 1949, he married the former Helen Angela Walsh, who died on September 13, 2005. They had five children, including former Republican...
defeated Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
challenger (and future Senate Majority Leader) George J. Mitchell
George J. Mitchell
George John Mitchell, Jr., is the former U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace under the Obama administration. A Democrat, Mitchell was a United States Senator who served as the Senate Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995...
, and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
James S. Erwin in a tight three-way contest. Longley's victory made him the first Independent Governor in Maine's history.
Democratic Nominee
George Mitchell was the early front runner for the Blaine House in 1974. He had bested Joseph BrennanJoseph Brennan
Joseph Brennan may refer to:*Joseph Charles Brennan , English recipient of the Victoria Cross*Joseph Brennan , Irish civil servant...
in the Democratic primary, and had the backing of popular former Governor, and then Maine Senator Edmund Muskie
Edmund Muskie
Edmund Sixtus "Ed" Muskie was an American politician from Rumford, Maine. He served as Governor of Maine from 1955 to 1959, as a member of the United States Senate from 1959 to 1980, and as Secretary of State under Jimmy Carter from 1980 to 1981...
. Many Maine political observers believed he would be able to easily beat back the challenge from James Erwin and become Maine's next Governor.
Mitchell ran on the campaign theme "There are two Maines. There should only be one.". He argued that Maine was a gorgeous state with rich natural resources and was a thriving tourist destination, but at the same time it had high unemployment and a large number of Maine families lived below the poverty line. His campaign focuses on ways to bring together the two Maines - a place with a protected environment and a strong economy.
Independent Candidate Jim Longley
James B. LongleyJames B. Longley
James Bernard Longley, Sr. was an American politician. He served as the 69th Governor of Maine from 1975 to 1979, and was the first Independent to hold the office. In 1949, he married the former Helen Angela Walsh, who died on September 13, 2005. They had five children, including former Republican...
was the owner of a successful insurance agency in Lewiston
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
, who got his first opportunity in statewide politics when then Governor Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth Merwin Curtis is an American lawyer and former politician. He is currently a principal in the law firm of Curtis Thaxter Stevens Broder & Micoleau Limited Liability Company, P.A....
asked him to lead a state government commission called The Maine Management and Cost Survey Commission, which was intended to make government more efficient, and cut costs. After some initial reluctance, Longley accepted the position and pursued the job with vigor.
Longley made several recommendations that were projected to save the state in excess of $24 million dollars. One of his major proposals included restructuring the Maine university system, which he felt was grossly inefficient. His work at the commission gave him a prominent state wide profile, something he decided to try to turn into an electoral mandate when Governor Curtis retired in 1974.
Longley had been a life long Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, but due to earning a maverick reputation acting in a non-partisan role on the cost-cutting commission and because he inadvertently missed the filing deadline for party candidates, he ran as an Independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. Some Maine observers believed he knew he would be unable to beat both former Muskie
Edmund Muskie
Edmund Sixtus "Ed" Muskie was an American politician from Rumford, Maine. He served as Governor of Maine from 1955 to 1959, as a member of the United States Senate from 1959 to 1980, and as Secretary of State under Jimmy Carter from 1980 to 1981...
adviser George Mitchell
George J. Mitchell
George John Mitchell, Jr., is the former U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace under the Obama administration. A Democrat, Mitchell was a United States Senator who served as the Senate Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995...
and state Senator
Maine Senate
The Maine Senate is the upper house of the Maine Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maine. The Senate currently consists of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, though the Maine Constitution allows for "an odd number of Senators, not less than...
Joseph Brennan
Joseph Brennan
Joseph Brennan may refer to:*Joseph Charles Brennan , English recipient of the Victoria Cross*Joseph Brennan , Irish civil servant...
in a Democratic primary, causing him to not file with a party. He ran on the slogan "Think About It," a phrase he often used with insurance customers to get them to consider his products.
The Issues
In 1974, the economy was volatile and inflation was high. Maine's economy was in a weak position with high unemployment and low wages, and all three candidates focused on this economic uncertainty in their respective campaigns. Issues such as oil prices, health care, the environment and care for the elderly were also major themes that dominated the debate by the candidates.Longley campaigned on a platform of cutting government and making it more efficient, hoping to capitalize on the reputation he had earned with the commission. However, he struggled to get attention in the race, as most media outlets focused on Mitchell and James Erwin (who had run for Governor the previous cycle as well). Toward the tail end of the campaign, however, increased attention was focused on Longley, with newspapers profiling his candidacy and speculating that he was on par with the other two candidates. When the Bangor Daily News
Bangor Daily News
The Bangor Daily News is an American newspaper that was founded on June 18, 1889; in 1900 the paper merged with the Bangor Whig and Courier. The Bangor Publishing Co. publishes the paper in Bangor, Maine, in addition to two weekly papers distributed by the BDN and several others distributed by the...
issued an endorsement of Longley, many observers believe it gave Longley instant legitimacy.
The Election
An Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
poll three days before the election showed Mitchell and Erwin running neck and neck, with Longley trailing by double digits. However, that same poll noted that 37 percent of the electorate was still undecided, leaving open the possibility that they could swing any direction at the last minute.
On Election Day, Longley won with 39 percent of the vote, followed by Mitchell at 36 percent, and Erwin with 23 percent.
Mitchell attributed his loss to "distrust and cynicism about politics and politicians," "widespread concern over
the economy", and "the fact that James Longley had conducted a very excellent campaign."