Matt Jacobson Announces 2010 Bid For Governor

Its never too early to think about November 2010 in Maine – and that’s what Republican Matt Jacobson just proved.

The president and CEO of Maine and Company – a nonprofit corporation headquartered in Portland that aims to relocate businesses into the Pine Tree State – made official his bid for the Blaine House today.  The political novice was surrounded by roughly 100 of his supporters at a campaign rally on the waterfront area of Portland.

Jacobson is joined (thus far) in the primary by Bruce Poliquin, a Georgetown resident and businessman.  The field is expected to be crowded as time goes by, however, with a potential candidacy from moderate State Senator Peter Mills widely expected, as well as potential candidacies from other high profile Republicans (though word is Rick Bennett is taking a pass, and Josh Tardy has made no noise whatsoever).

The Jacobson campaign is already focused like a laser on Maine’s economy – specifically job creation – as the cornerstone of his candidacy.  A quick look at Jacobson’s website makes it abundantly clear that he wants to talk about that subject, and little else.

That is, however, a potential strength.  By avoiding wedge issues that often turn off moderates and independents to Republican candidates in Maine and focusing on the very real concern of job creation, Jacobson has a real shot at going deep into the election.  One would assume he will be taking a very Peter Cianchette model for his run – which, given Cianchette’s strong performance in 2002 might be a brilliant idea.  His profile in the first district also adds credibility statewide, and potentially one of the most likely Republicans to be able to take back the governor’s mansion.

However, Jacobson is also a neophyte, and in a GOP primary he will need to learn (quickly) how to campaign, press the flesh and connect with voters, especially the down to earth folks in the second district.

None the less, his entry into the race signals that unlike 2006, the GOP may (finally) actually have a deep well of talent to draw upon in Maine for a gubernatorial contest.