Pending state certification, Phillip Morris NaPier of Windham will join the many challengers seeking to unseat John Baldacci to become Maine’s next governor.
NaPier, an ex-convict and felons’ rights advocate, handed in 4,047 signatures to the State House. More than 900 signatures were deemed invalid prior to the submission, so NaPier is crossing his fingers that he’ll make the 4,000 mark to get his name inked on the ballot.
NaPier has run twice before, campaigning as a write-in candidate after failing to gain a ballot status.
He wants to represent the common Mainer and, if elected to the Blaine House, will push to reduce the voting age, overhaul the court and prison system to make them self-supporting and make sure all citizens are guaranteed equal rights.
NaPier is one of four independents running for governor. State Rep. Barbara Merrill of Appleton, John Michael of Auburn and David Jones of Falmouth have already been certified as independent candidates.
“They’re all slick guys and politicians, but I’m not fancy or a politician,” NaPier said of his competition for governor. “I’m a man of the people and that’s how I’m going to run.”
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