LaMarche Makes History in Maine
By Blair Bobier

Maine Green gubernatorial candidate Pat LaMarche turned in such an impressive performance in her recent bid for office, the incumbent is considering her for a position in his administration. Although LaMarche has not yet been offered a post by Maine governor John Baldacci, the Associated Press reported in November Baldacci was actively considering it.

	Pat LaMarche's campaign helped cement the  Greens' status as a credible force in Maine politics.

LaMarche earned an historic 10 percent of the vote in a five-way race for governor, the highest percentage for any Green seeking that office. The election also marked the second time LaMarche has secured ballot access for the Maine Greens. LaMarche had previously run for governor in 1998 and captured 7 percent of the vote. In order to maintain official party status, the Maine Green Independent Party needed LaMarche to win 5 percent of the vote.

LaMarche's campaign helped cement the Greens' status as a credible force in Maine politics. She earned high-profile endorsements from both Democrats and Republicans, employed cutting-edge campaign technology and went to great lengths to protect Maine's landmark Clean Elections Act.

The centerpiece of LaMarche's campaign, however, was her comprehensive plan to establish universal health care in Maine. The LaMarche Healthcare Plan won the support of numerous doctors, medical professionals, columnists and at least one college president in Maine. Her plan conclusively established that a state could act independently of the federal government or any other state to create a single-payer system to provide health care for every citizen of the state. LaMarche described her plan as not only a "moral imperative" but also as the way to stimulate Maine's sluggish economy. LaMarche noted how many businesses are fleeing the U.S. for Canada because health care costs in the U.S. are prohibitive. When Maine establishes universal health care, LaMarche suggested, it would be the equivalent of "hanging a giant 'OPEN FOR BUSINESS' banner on the Maine border."

Drawing on her background as a broadcaster familiar with the importance of targeted promotions, the LaMarche Campaign outfitted a white cargo van as a mock ambulance to tour the state and promote the plan. Volunteers and staff wore surgical scrubs with the words "LaMarche Healthcare Plan" emblazoned on the front and back.

As part of her emphasis on health care, LaMarche challenged the incumbent's plans to privatize mental health services for poor and elderly Maine residents. Her public pronouncements on this critical issue resulted in a retreat by the incumbent and marked the only time in the course of the campaign that public policy was directly affected by the act­ions of a candidate.

On another front, LaMarche challenged campaign practices by the Republicans and Democrats that were designed to circumvent Maine's Clean Elections Act. She appealed her case all the way to Maine's Supreme Judicial Court and although her appeal was ultimately rejected, editorial writers and columnists throughout the state unanimously supported her. It is likely that, as a result of her efforts, legislation to strengthen the landmark law will be introduced in the upcoming session of the Maine legislature.

Another precedent-setting aspect of the LaMarche campaign was the use of cutting edge technology; specifically, outreach to young and independent voters through the use of cell phones, text messaging and ring tones.

The campaign also relied on old-fashioned and time-tested methods of outreach. The LaMarche Field Team knocked on thousands of doors, distributed untold pieces of literature and made their way into the press for holding campaign signs at busy intersections well in advance of Election Day.

Unlike many other states, Maine has a culture and history of inclusion of inde­pendent and third party candidates. LaMarche was therefore able to demonstrate her extensive knowledge on a broad range of issues in the course of over forty debates and public forums. It was these performances that played a large part in her earning the endorsements of prominent Mainers - including the Democrat who ran against the incumbent governor in the primary. Also, a Democratic state representative and the chair of a local chapter of the Republican Party both endorsed LaMarche.

With her emphasis on universal health care and clean elections, LaMarche has made her mark on Maine politics. And with the possibility of an appointment to a position in the current administration still looming, it appears the final chapter in an historic campaign has yet to be written.

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