Eliot Cutler

Last updated
Eliot Cutler
Eliot Cutler.jpg
Personal details
Born (1946-07-29) July 29, 1946 (age 77)
Bangor, Maine, U.S.
Political party Independent
SpouseMelanie Stewart
Children2
Education Harvard University (BA)
Georgetown University (JD)

Eliot Cutler (born July 29, 1946) is an American former lawyer, political candidate, and convicted felon. He was twice an Independent candidate in Maine's 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial races. [1] [2] [3] In 2010, he placed second in a multi-way race, receiving 208,270 votes, equaling 35.9%, narrowly losing to Republican Paul LePage. In 2014 he garnered only 8.4%, placing third behind both the Democratic candidate as well as LePage, who was re-elected with 48.2% of the vote. Cutler had previously served in the Carter Administration as part of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. In May 2023, Cutler pled guilty to four counts of possessing child pornography, after being arrested in March 2022. [4] [5]

Contents

Early life and career

Cutler was born and raised in a Jewish family in Bangor, Maine, the eldest son of Lawrence and Catherine Cutler. His father was a physician and his mother was an economist. [6]

Cutler received secondary education at Deerfield Academy. [7] He then proceeded to graduate from Harvard College and later earned a degree from Georgetown Law.

Cutler began his career as a legislative assistant to Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine, helping craft the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act.

He served as associate director for Natural Resources, Energy and Science in the Office of Management and Budget in the Carter administration, and was the principal White House official for energy.

He then worked from 1980 to 1988 for the law firm Webster & Sheffield, focusing mostly on environmental and land use issues. [8]

He was a founding partner of Cutler & Stanfield LLP, with fellow Webster & Sheffield associate Jeffrey Stanfield, [8] which became the second-largest environmental law firm in the country, eventually merging that practice with international firm Akin Gump in 2000. [9]

In 1990, Cutler purchased property on Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth. In an interview with Portland Magazine, Cutler recounted the purchase, "It took two years to find this property. Once we saw it and bought it, we wanted to build a house that sat well on land and was not overly imposing, from the road or the water. We needed lots of room for us and our family, a growing family along the course of time, where we could gather family and friends to enjoy the Maine Coast with us." [10] Cutler resided in Cape Elizabeth with his wife, Melanie Stewart Cutler, during his gubernatorial campaigns. They have two adult children. [11] In 2006, Cutler moved to Beijing, where he acquired a collection of Chinese vernacular furniture and antiques. When he moved back to his home in Cape Elizabeth, he integrated the Far East influence with the Maine mystique of the residence. [10] In May 2017, Cutler put his 15,455 square feet (1,435.8 m2) oceanfront home in Cape Elizabeth for sale for $11 million, citing his intention to move to a condominium in nearby Portland [12] and also to look for a place on the water in Maine. [10] At the end of 2020, the home was purchased by Jonathan S. Bush. [13]

2010 gubernatorial campaign

On December 9, 2009, Cutler officially launched his campaign for governor of Maine. Had he been elected, he would have been Maine's third independent governor. He was endorsed by Maine's second Independent governor, Angus King. [14]

In a close election-night race, Cutler took an early lead. [15] As the results came in from Maine's smaller and more rural communities, Cutler's lead shrank, and eventually opponent Paul LePage took the lead. Based on early, unofficial results, the Bangor Daily News projected that LePage would win, and Cutler conceded on the morning after the election. [16]

2014 gubernatorial campaign

On June 6, 2013, Cutler announced on radio station WGAN's morning show that he would again run for governor, with a formal announcement coming after Labor Day. He dismissed the suggestion that his candidacy would result in another LePage victory, stating that he wouldn't run if he didn't think he could win. [17] While he was again endorsed by Angus King on August 18, 2014 [18] King withdrew his endorsement on October 29, 2014, in favor of the Democratic Party candidate, Mike Michaud. [19]

Cutler finished a distant third, with LePage winning reelection. Though many Democrats believe that Cutler was a two-time spoiler, it is a label he and his supporters reject. [20]

Other political involvement

He served on the board of directors of Americans Elect, a nonprofit 501(c)(4) corporation which sought to gain ballot access for a presidential ticket, to be chosen through an online national primary, in every state in the 2012 Presidential Election. [21]

Cutler endorsed Angus King in the 2012 U.S. Senate election to succeed the retiring Olympia Snowe. [22] King won the election.

Since the 2014 election, the second in a row in which the governor was elected with less than a majority, Maine became the first state in the country to introduce ranked choice voting in its election, with the multi-way race between LePage, Cutler, and the Democratic candidate often being seen as an impetus for this action. [23] Cutler had been a proponent of this system during the 2010 election, believing he would have won if it had been implemented then. [24] However, due to the state constitution's rules on gubernatorial elections, ranked choice voting is not allowed to be used for the position.

Cutler announced on April 2, 2015, that he would not run for governor again, stating that he was taking a "vow of abstinence" from doing so. [25] He also announced his appointment by the University of Maine System to lead the creation of a new graduate center unifying existing graduate programs at the University of Southern Maine, University of Maine, and the University of Maine School of Law. [26]

In May 2017, Cutler announced that he would work with the political organization Maine Independents to recruit candidates for the 2018 elections. The organization was founded by supporters of Cutler's gubernatorial campaigns. He also announced his support for State Treasurer Terry Hayes for governor in the following year's gubernatorial election. [27]

2022 arrest and conviction

In March 2022, Cutler was arrested and charged with four counts of possessing child pornography. [28] He agreed to plead guilty on May 2, 2023, to 4 counts of possession of sexually explicit material, and was sentenced 9 months in jail, with 10 additional years of probation and a $5000 fine. [29] He was formally convicted on May 5, and reported to the Hancock County Jail on June 1. He was released early on January 18, 2024, on good conduct time. Following his release, Cutler must register as a sex offender for life. [5] [30]

Prosecutors decided to reach a plea agreement due to a backlog in Maine criminal courts, fearing that Cutler might never have been held accountable otherwise. They also decided to keep the matter in state court, and not federal court, due to lacking evidence that Cutler had disseminated the materials he possessed. [5] The record, however, showed that in 2022 investigators found over 80,000 images of child sexual abuse on electronics owned by Cutler. Many of the videos involved sexual abuse of young children. [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Michaud</span> American politician (born 1955)

Michael Herman Michaud is an American businessman and politician from Maine. Michaud served as the U.S. representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2015. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The primarily rural district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, Presque Isle, and Ellsworth. It is the largest Congressional district by area east of the Mississippi River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angus King</span> American politician and lawyer (born 1944)

Angus Stanley King Jr. is an American lawyer and politician serving as the junior United States senator from Maine since 2013. A political independent, he served as the 72nd governor of Maine from 1995 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maine Green Independent Party</span> Maine affiliate of the Green Party

The Maine Green Independent Party is a state-level political party affiliated with the Green Party of the United States. It is the oldest state green party in the United States. It was founded following an informal meeting of 17 environmental advocates, including Bowdoin College professor John Rensenbrink and others in Augusta, Maine in January 1984. From 1994 to 2006, the party's gubernatorial nominees received between 6% and 10% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Maine gubernatorial election</span>

The 2010 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010 to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Democratic governor John Baldacci was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010. The candidates who appeared on the November ballot were : Eliot Cutler (Independent), Paul LePage (Republican), Libby Mitchell (Democratic), Shawn Moody (Independent), and Kevin Scott (Independent).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Libby Mitchell</span> American politician

Elizabeth H. Mitchell is an American politician from Maine. Mitchell, a Democrat, represented Vassalboro, which is part of Kennebec County in the Maine Senate from 2004 to 2010. Mitchell was also the Democrats' 2010 candidate for the office of Governor of Maine. She finished in third place behind Republican Paul LePage and unenrolled attorney Eliot Cutler. She is the only woman in United States history to have been elected as both speaker of her state house of representatives and president of her state senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janet Mills</span> Governor of Maine since 2019

Janet Trafton Mills is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 75th governor of Maine since January 2019. She previously served as the Maine Attorney General on two occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul LePage</span> Governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019

Paul Richard LePage is American businessman and politician who served as the 74th governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the mayor of Waterville, Maine, from 2004 to 2011 and as a city councilor for Waterville from 1998 to 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Despite initially declaring her candidacy and being considered the favorite, popular incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe unexpectedly decided to retire instead of running for reelection to a fourth term.

Rodney Sharon Quinn was an American politician from Maine. A Democrat, he served as the Secretary of State of Maine from 1979 to 1988. He was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1974, after running three times from Gorham. He served as Assistant Majority Leader in the 108th legislature (1977-1979).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Maine gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014 to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Republican governor Paul LePage won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Mike Michaud, the U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district, and independent Eliot Cutler, an attorney and second-place finisher from the 2010 gubernatorial election. This is currently the most recent election that Maine elected a Republican governor. Primary elections were held on June 10, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in Maine took place on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who had served in the position since 1997, won reelection to a fourth term in office with 68% of the vote. The primary elections were held on June 10, 2014. As of 2024, this was the last time the Republican candidate won the counties of Cumberland and Knox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Brakey</span> American politician (born 1988)

Eric Brakey is an American politician, serving the U.S. state of Maine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Maine Question 1</span>

Maine Question 1 (MQ1), "An Act To Prohibit the Use of Dogs, Bait or Traps When Hunting Bears Except under Certain Circumstances", was a citizen-initiated referendum measure in Maine, which was voted on in the general election of November 4, 2014. As the Maine Legislature declined to act on the proposed statute, it was automatically placed on the ballot. The proposal was defeated by 320,873 "No" votes to 279,617 "Yes".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Dion (politician)</span> American politician, law enforcement officer and lawyer

Mark N. Dion is an American politician, law enforcement officer and lawyer from Maine, who has served as Mayor of Portland since December 4, 2023.

Teresea M. "Terry" Hayes is an American politician from Maine who served as the Maine State Treasurer and a candidate for Governor of Maine in 2018. A political independent, Hayes represented part of Oxford County, Maine, including her residence in Buckfield, Maine, as a Democrat from 2006 to 2014. She was unable to seek re-election to the Maine House of Representatives in 2014 due to term-limits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Maine gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018 to elect the governor of Maine. It occurred along with elections for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican governor Paul LePage was term-limited and could not seek re-election to a third consecutive term; he later unsuccessfully sought a third term in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2018 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 6, 2018, alongside a gubernatorial election, U.S. House elections, and other state and local elections. Incumbent Independent Senator Angus King won reelection to a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Maine Question 1</span> 2015 voter referendum

Maine Question 1, "An Act To Strengthen the Maine Clean Election Act, Improve Disclosure and Make Other Changes to the Campaign Finance Laws", was a citizen-initiated referendum measure in Maine, which appeared on the November 3, 2015 statewide ballot. As the Maine Legislature did not exercise its ability to pass the bill on its own, it was placed on the ballot and approved by Maine voters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Maine Question 5</span> Citizen-initiated referendum question

Maine Question 5, formally An Act to Establish Ranked-Choice Voting, is a citizen-initiated referendum question that qualified for the Maine November 8, 2016 statewide ballot. It was approved by a vote of 52% in favor, 48% opposed. It sought to change how most Maine elections will be conducted from a plurality voting system to a ranked-choice voting system. It appeared on the ballot along with elections for President of the United States, Maine's two U.S. House seats, the legislature, five other ballot questions, and various local elections. The referendum was successful, making Maine the first state to use ranked choice voting for its federal elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Maine gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Democratic governor Janet Mills won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican nominee and former governor, Paul LePage. Neither candidate faced any primary opposition. An independent candidate, Sam Hunkler, received 2% of the vote, the lowest total for a third party or independent gubernatorial candidate in the state since 1982.

References

  1. ↑ Wickenheiser, Matt (2009-06-25). "Governor's race draws a crowd of candidates". Portland Press Herald . MaineToday Media. Retrieved 2009-11-12.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. ↑ "Ex-White House official joins governor's race". Mainebiz. 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  3. ↑ Gagnon, Matthew (2009-09-05). "Eliot Cutler – Game Changer". Pine Tree Politics. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  4. ↑ Trotter, Bill; Piper, Jessica (March 25, 2022). "Eliot Cutler arrested on child porn charges in Hancock County". Bangor Daily News.
  5. 1 2 3 Allen, Emily (May 5, 2023). "Eliot Cutler returns to court, pleads guilty to child porn charges". Portland Press Herald/CentralMaine.com.
  6. ↑ Russell, Eric (13 July 2014). "The Early Years: Eliot Cutler". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Sargent, Colin (June 2017). "Hidden Shore". Portland Magazine. Portland Monthly. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  8. 1 2 Russell, Eric, "The working life of Eliot Cutler", Portland Press-Herald , September 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Eliot R. Cutler, Partner". Akin Gump. Archived from the original on 2009-06-14.
  10. 1 2 3 Sargent, Colin (9 June 2017). "Hidden Shores". Portland Magazine. Portland Monthly. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "About Eliot". Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  12. ↑ "Eliot Cutler's oceanfront home is on the market for $11 million". Portland Press Herald. May 14, 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  13. ↑ Jordan, Glenn, "Eliot Cutler’s mansion sold to Bush family member for $7.6 million", Portland Press Herald, January 28, 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  14. ↑ "Endorsement: Former Governor Angus King Endorses Eliot". Archived from the original on 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  15. ↑ Richardson, John, "Cutler takes early lead in governor's race" Maine Today November 2, 2010
  16. ↑ Miller, Kevin; Wickenheiser, Matt (3 November 2010). "BDN projects LePage to win governor's race". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
  17. ↑ "Eliot Cutler tells Portland radio show hosts that he's running for governor in 2014". Bangor Daily News. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  18. ↑ "Angus King endorses Eliot Cutler at Portland press conference". 18 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  19. ↑ Billings, Randy, "Angus King switches endorsement from Cutler to Michaud", The Portland Press Herald, October 28, 2014.
  20. ↑ Milakovsky, Brian, " A Cutler supporter, reluctant Michaud voter: What’s a pragmatic centrist to do?", Bangor Daily News, November 14, 2014.
  21. ↑ Ballot-access.org (2 December 2011). "Ballot Access News » Blog Archive » Christine Todd Whitman Encourages Jon Huntsman to Seek Americans Elect Nomination" . Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  22. ↑ Cousins, Christopher (2012-03-05). "Angus King enters race for U.S. Senate". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2012-03-06.
  23. ↑ Nilsen, Ella, "Maine voters blew up their voting system and started from scratch", vox.com , June 12, 2018.
  24. ↑ Woodard, Colin, "Maine’s Radical Democratic Experiment", politico.com , March 27, 2018.
  25. ↑ Richardson, Whit (April 2, 2015). "Would Eliot Cutler run for governor again? 'No, I've taken a vow'". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  26. ↑ Noel, Gallagher (2015-04-02). "Eliot Cutler begins work to unify business, law schools in UMaine System". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2015-04-02.
  27. ↑ Shepherd, Michael (May 2, 2017). "Eliot Cutler is recruiting independents to run for the Maine Legislature". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  28. ↑ Trotter, Bill; Piper, Jessica (March 25, 2022). "Eliot Cutler arrested on child porn charges in Hancock County". Bangor Daily News.
  29. ↑ Sharp, David (May 2, 2023). "Report: Eliot Cutler to serve 9 months in prison on child pornography charges". NewsCenter Maine.
  30. ↑ "Eliot Cutler released early after serving 7 months, jail official says". WCSH . January 18, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  31. ↑ "The Pre-Obituary of Eliot Cutler". February 6, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.