Maine gubernatorial election, 1970

Maine gubernatorial election, 1970

November 3, 1970

Nominee Kenneth M. Curtis James S. Erwin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 163,138 162,248 Percentage 50.14% 49.86%

County results   Counties won by Curtis   Counties won by Erwin

Governor before election Kenneth M. Curtis Democratic Elected Governor Kenneth M. Curtis Democratic

The 1970 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Maine Kenneth M. Curtis chose to seek re-election. Curtis won a landslide victory in the Democratic primary. His general election opponent was Maine Attorney General James Erwin, the Republican nominee. Erwin had also easily won his respective party primary and received the Republican nomination for governor. Curtis narrowly defeated challenger in one of the tightest elections in Maine history – the final margin of victory was a mere 890 votes. Curtis received 163,138 votes (50.14%), while Erwin had 162,248 votes (49.86%).

Background

Although Governor Curtis kept his promise not to raise taxes, his creation of a new income tax law in 1969 caused his approval rating to fall. As a result of the new taxes, the debate about the expansion of state government became the main issue of the campaign. During his tenure, Curtis proposed gun control legislation, which would deny ownership to convicted felons, drug addicts, and those in mental institutions. This was quite controversial and irritated gun owners throughout the state of Maine. In January 1970, Curtis strongly pledged support for an oil refinery at Machiasport. Environmentalists, as well as the Maine Times – a recently established newspaper – opposed this proposal.

Prior to announcing his re-election candidacy, Curtis commissioned a poll of himself versus potential candidate James S. Erwin, conducted by consultant Oliver Quayle. The results of the poll showed Curtis trailing Erwin by a 28% margin. Quayle told Curtis that he had "never seen an incumbent in more trouble."^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Kenneth M. Curtis, incumbent Governor of Maine
• Plato Truman, perennial candidate

Incumbent Governor Kenneth M. Curtis was challenged by perennial candidate Plato Truman for the Democratic nomination. Nonetheless, Curtis defeated Truman in a landslide on the day of the primary, which was June 15, 1970. Curtis received 33,052 votes (63.18%) against Truman's 19,266 votes (38.83%). Winning a majority of the votes, Curtis became the Democratic gubernatorial nominee for the state of Maine in 1970 and avoided a run-off election.

Republican primary

Candidates

• James S. Erwin, Attorney General and former State Senator
• Calvin Grass

In mid-February 1970, James S. Erwin, a lawyer, Maine Senator, and World War II veteran declared his candidcy for the Republican nomination. Calvin Grass also entered the race. The primary election took place on June 15, 1970. Erwin defeated Grass in a landslide, with 72,760 votes (89.18%) versus 8,898 votes (10.9%), respectively. Winning a majority of the votes, Erwin became the Republican gubernatorial nominee for the state of Maine in 1970 and avoided a run-off election.

Campaign and results

An early poll conducted by the Dorr Research Corporation in Boston showed Erwin leading Curtis 46%–39%, with 15% undecided. The first debate between Curtis and Erwin was held on September 24, 1970, which was broadcast on Maine's Education Television Network. According to most observers, Erwin appeared "awkward and not in command", while Curtis was "more poised" and "straightforward." These observers, the Maine Times, and even Erwin himself noted that Curtis won the debate. Another poll conducted by Quayle in early October still showed Erwin ahead of Curtis, despite Curtis' gain in momentum.^[1]

In the general election held on November 3, 1970, Curtis defeated James S. Erwin by a mere 890 votes. Erwin blamed the media for his loss, claiming they were biased toward Curtis. Years later, Erwin noted, "I avoided the media. I didn't like them and they didn't like me, in retrospect, I wish I had formed a more beneficial relationship with the media. I think that really hurt my campaign." Curtis' victory has also been attributed to Edmund Muskie's coattails, a popular candidate for United States Senator from Maine that year.^[1]

Recount and aftermath

Due to the very small margin of victory, a recount was almost immediately conducted. The process lasted 40 days, from November 23 to December 15, with Republicans and Democrats and their lawyers present for the recount. Eventually incumbent Governor Kenneth M. Curtis was certified as the winner and was sworn-in for a second term on January 7, 1971. He remained in office until January 2, 1975, when he was succeeded by James B. Longley. James S. Erwin received the Republican nomination for governor again in 1974, but placed third against Longley and Democrat George J. Mitchell.^[1]

See also

• Maine gubernatorial election, 1962

Notes

Elections and referendums in Maine
Gubernatorial elections	1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1882 1884 1886 1888 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Referendums	2009 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016