BRUNSWICK

Former Maine Department of Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew this morning announced she is running for governor, according to multiple published reports.

Mayhew, a Republican, announced her run this morning on WVOM. She is seeking to succeed Gov. Paul LePage, who is prevented by term limits from running again.

Mayhew was a Democrat when she was appointed DHHS commissioner in 2011, according to the Associated Press. In the LePage Administration, she earned a reputation for her work on welfare reform, drawing the ire of progressive and anti-poverty groups, as well as from Democrats, who believed the poor were being treated punitively.

However, LePage praised her for showing “fortitude and the competence to finally bring accountability and fiscal responsibility to Maine’s formerly out-of-control welfare system.”

Mayhew had stepped down last month, and rumors about a possible run for the Blaine House began circulating shortly thereafter.

According to the AP, other candidates in 2018 include independent State Treasurer Teresa Hayes and Republican Deril Stubenrod of Clinton. Democrats include lobbyist Betsy Sweet, military veterans Patrick Eisenhart and Adam Cote.

Libertarian Richard Light, also a veteran, is also running.

The AP reported June 3 that Republican Sen. Susan Collins is weighing a run. Collins had run and lost in 1994 to independent Angus King, who is now Maine’s junior Senator.

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