We thought that the failure of legislative resistance to citizen demand for more say in government ended when ranked-choice voting vaulted over the last political hurdle last month.

Not so, unfortunately, with Gov. LePage and associates taking advantage of a clerical error in the markup process for an associated Clean Election law. The legislation had passed but was left underfunded by partisan opponents from both political parties. The funding impasse effectively thwarts the intention behind the law and creates a possible “business as usual” election.

The pledge by the Republican gubernatorial candidates during the recent primary to continue Gov. LePage’s administrative policies ensures a continuation of combative politics and autocratic leadership. The two remaining viable candidates are seasoned public servants: Maine Attorney General Janet Mills, a Democrat, and Terry Hayes, Maine state treasurer, an independent.

The stalemate continues, but the contenders are in place for the campaign. The competition is between a LePage clone and women with experience.

Stanley Payson

Kittery Point