BOSTON — Maine Democrats haven’t settled on their next candidate for governor. But the Democratic Governors Association chairman is already lashing out at likely independent candidate Eliot Cutler.

Chairman Gov. Peter Shumlin, of Vermont, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Cutler has little chance of winning the 2014 contest. He warned that Cutler could unintentionally help Republican Gov. Paul LePage win reelection.

Shumlin says, “A vote for Eliot Cutler is a vote for Paul LePage.”

The chairman’s comments come 20 months before Election Day. They signal that national Democrats are already working to prevent a repeat of Maine’s last race.

LePage narrowly defeated Cutler in 2010 with just 38 percent of the vote in a three-way contest.

Cutler’s political adviser says Shumlin’s comments would have no bearing on Cutler’s candidacy.

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.