Jonathan Carter for Governor - 2002

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September 23, 2002

Carter kicks off half million-dollar television ad campaign with an historic message

Portland, ME – Jonathan Carter premiered his first round of television ads in a press conference on Monday, September 23, 2002 at the Carter Campaign’s Portland field office.

The four ads, which began airing on September 23rd, are the beginning of a push by the Carter campaign to clearly define the difference between Carter and his opponents. The common theme of these commercials is be Carter’s status as Maine’s only Clean Election candidate for Governor.

In 1996, Maine citizens were the first in the nation to vote for a Clean Election Act as a way to keep corporate special interest money and influence out of politics and out of their government. All the candidates were offered the opportunity to use these funds to finance their campaign, to cut the purse strings that tie them to corporate special interests, but Carter was the only party candidate who accepted the people’s generous offer. Carter is the only party candidate who chose to listen to the voice of the people and not accept corporate special interest money, choosing instead to run using Clean Election funds. Baldacci and Cianchette, however, turned their backs on the will of the voters and made a conscious choice to run back into the arms - and the pockets - of the fat cat corporate lobbyists. They chose to remain addicted to and dependent upon big campaign cash from the very same special interests who have been making it harder and harder for working families to make ends meet: big insurance and HMO's, big pharmaceuticals, big oil, Wall Street and more. They betrayed the will of the voters - for money.

And, when Jonathan Carter wins, Maine will make history again when he becomes the first publicly funded "clean elections" governor in America. This November 5, Maine will send a message to the nation that they have initiated the beginning of the end of corrupt, special interest, big money politics in America, and a return of government and real Democracy to the people.

Carter states, "Unlike my opponents, I chose to listen to the people of Maine and run a campaign with no corporate special interest influence. The people, not these special interests, finance my campaign and so, as their Governor, I am beholden only to them. I am free to lead."