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Governor's Race: Late start has silver lining, Beardsley says

His campaign is peaking while others' may have passed that point, the GOP hopeful notes.

By Beth Quimby bquimby@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Bill Beardsley said his campaign for the Republican Party's nomination for governor June 8 is peaking just at the right moment.

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Bill Beardsley, Republican

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Although he got into the race comparatively late, the former Husson University president said his campaign is catching on with just days to go before voters make their choices between seven Republican candidates.

"We know we are gaining momentum," said Beardsley. He spoke by phone from his home in Ellsworth during a weekend spent putting up campaign signs and attending church.

Beardsley entered the political fray in January, starting his campaign at Dysart's Restaurant and Truck Stop just south of Bangor in Hermon. He said he intends to make it back to Dysart's before the campaign is over.

"We are running hard and fast and we are going to spend every penny we have got," he said.

Beardsley said he considers the race wide open, but he has noticed an increase in interest from potential voters in the last few days, especially in his campaign.

"There is growing interest," he said, allowing, however, that voters continue to appear largely disengaged.

He said it appears likely that voter turnout could be low enough that the winning Republican candidate need only emerge with 13,000 votes, or 1 percent of Maine's population.

"And that is scary," Beardsley said.

He said the potential for a low turnout has made it difficult to plan a strategy. "Do you try to get a smattering of votes or go after your core constituency?" he asked.

He said at this point he is focusing on his message that he would reduce taxes, protect natural resources and use his experience to accomplish those goals.

Beardsley said although some candidates have been in the race much longer than he has, it is not clear whether that has been an advantage.

"We are peaking at the right time while others may have peaked too early," he said.

He said he has enjoyed the campaign and remains optimistic.

"I am having a blast. Things could fall my way," he said.

Staff Writer Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:

bquimby@pressherald.com