Cutler Gaining Ground in Maine Governor’s Race, Now Polling at 20%

Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler is moving up in several recent surveys of Maine voters, topping 20% in a poll out today from the Portland firm Pan Atlantic/SMS.

The numbers are 35% for Republican incumbent Paul LePage, Democrat Michael Michaud draws 34% and Cutler has 20%. That’s an improvement over most of this polls released in the last few months, which showed Cutler mired in low double-digits. The numbers also show Cutler with a big advantage over his major party rivals in the favorable/unfavorable ratings, suggesting that there’s more room for Cutler’s support to grow.

“This poll validates our own most recent poll,” said Cutler’s campaign manager Ted O’Meara. “Despite every conceivable advantage – no Primary, millions from special interests, and a total makeover on issues from choice to equal rights to background checks – Michael Michaud, just like Libby Mitchell in 2010, can’t win an election against Paul LePage.”

Making his second bid as an independent, Cutler came within 2% of victory back in 2010. His campaign has been endorsed by Maine’s independent U.S. Senator Angus King.