In 2010, a three-way race for governor left hard-right Republican Paul LePage victorious over independent Eliot Cutler, arguably the smartest guy in the room; and Democrat Libby Mitchell.

Early polling suggests Democrats have learned their lesson.

Only one candidate is being fielded, and he’s a rock star — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, who is currently serving in Congress. There have been no missteps so far, unlike among the bruising Democratic primary of 2010.

Despite general dissatisfaction with Le- Page, another three-way race could lead to his re-election if national politics play a lead role, as they did in 2010.

So what are Democrats doing about it? They and their allies have realized it isn’t LePage they are battling.

Mike Michaud said in an interview with The Times Record he actually expects to pull in some former LePage voters — and that is likely to be true, considering he is running slightly to the right of Eliot Cutler, the independent in the race.

Make no mistake: Michaud’s race is against Cutler, and is a come-to-Jesus campaign for wayward Democrats.

Fortunately for Democrats, it’s a soft sell. Michaud is a well-known quantity, trusted in a Second Congressional District that broke heavily for LePage in 2010.

Fielding Michaud was a brilliant tactical move, and Michaud is treading carefully in areas where he is likely to face questions from more liberal Democrats, especially women — in abortion, gun control and universal health care.

Michaud’s position has evolved on choice over the years. In 2011, he voted no on a measure that would have banned federal health care coverage that includes abortion, and also voted in favor of embryonic stem cell research. But in prior years, Michaud had voted differently.

Michaud is also being very coy on the issue of gun control. He said he is working to find a way to close gun-show loopholes and to create universal background checks, but he has never sponsored any legislation to do so — unlike the rest of the delegation, Democratic, Republican or independent. Gun control is a wedge issue that Cutler is using to demonstrate the difference between the two candidates.

Another such issue is universal health care, which Cutler has recently said is a fundamental right and which Michaud has so far declined to embrace.

Even with these divisive issues, Democrats appear to be coming back to the fold — in droves.

A part of this race will be centered on the genuine affection that most Democrats feel for Michaud: He is an ordinary working stiff and makes a big deal out of his workingclass background.

People identify with Michaud. He’s the guy punching the time clock, not the guy in the front office deciding that he’s cutting workers’ pensions or health care. Watch for that kind of reference to appear over and over during the campaign as Michaud positions himself opposite LePage, who was a CEO.

Michaud is being seen everywhere, with candidates as wide-ranging as Eloise Vitelli in Sagadahoc County to Troy Jackson in Aroostook County. People want to see Michaud, and be seen with him.

By contrast, no one wants LePage’s support. Cutler, as an independent, has no party to whom he can offer it.

Two polls do not make for strong analysis, but the trajectory for Michaud is good. Michaud finished in first place in the most recent poll, by Public Policy Polling, with 39 percent, LePage with 35 percent and Cutler with 18 percent.

No doubt Michaud has more to do to make the left wing of the party feel comfortable, but his and his party’s approach toward Cutler Democrats who may perhaps still be on the fence has been to stoke fear of a second LePage administration while largely ignoring Cutler himself.

That Cutler — and the Democratic votes that went to him in 2010 — are being ignored by the Michaud campaign is quite deliberate and very, very comforting to disaffected Democrats aching for a reason to come home.