DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION 1401 K STREET NW, SUITE 200 | WASHINGTON, DC 20005

T 202.772.5600 | F 202.772.5602 | WWW.DEMOCRATICGOVERNORS.ORG

Paid for by the Democratic Governors Association. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

G o v . P e t e r S h u m l i n V e r m o n t C h a i r G o v . J o h n H i c k e n l o o p e r C o l o r a d o V i c e C h a i r E XE C U T IV E C O MM I T TEE G o v . J e r r y B r o w n C a l i f or n i a G o v . S t e v e B u l l o c k M o n t a na C E O R o u n d t a b l e C h a i r - W e s t e r n R e g i o n G o v . A n d r e w C u o m o N e w Y o r k G o v . M a g g ie H a s s a n N e w H a m p s h i r e C E O R o u n d t a b l e C h a i r - E a s t e r n R e g i o n G o v . J a y I n s l e e W a s h i n gt o n F i n a n c e V i c e C h a i r G o v . D a n n e l M a l l o y C o n n e c t i c ut G o v . J a c k M a r k e ll D e l a wa r e N G A C h a i r G o v . M a r t i n O ’ M a l l e y M ar y l a n d F i n a n c e C h a i r G o v . P a t Q ui n n I l l i n o i s J o h n B l a n d fo r d T r e a s u r er C o l m O ’ C om a rt u n E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t or

Dear Friends, Democrats achieved an amazing and important victory in Maine last November, as we put the brakes on the LePage agenda by taking back the House and Senate. But we know that 2014 will be an even bigger challenge, especially with Eliot Cutler’s announcement that he intends to run again for governor. In 2014, the message the people of Maine will hear, and the one you need to hear now is this: Democrats will not back down from any challenge - whether from Governor Paul LePage or Eliot Cutler. Unlike in 2010, no one will catch us by surprise. We stand firmly together as Democrats, committed to electing a Democrat to the Governor’s office in 2014. That means a real Democrat, who believes our ideas are the ones that will move Maine forward by creating jobs and expanding middle-class opportunity. That means a free and public education system. That means quality, affordable health care for all. That means fair and balanced taxation. That means livable wages and a safe workplace. And that means open and accessible elections – including early access to the ballot. We know that many of you are worried about splitting the vote now that Cutler has again entered the race. But there’s a key difference this year: the Maine Democratic Party and the Democratic Governors Association have together been meeting with potential candidates and laying the groundwork for what will be the strongest and most well-financed gubernatorial campaign this state has ever seen. And yes, we’ve looked at the polling - and the numbers paint a clear picture: the only way Governor LePage will be re-elected is if there’s a three-way race in which Democrats are divided. It is simple – Eliot Cutler cannot win. He can only help ensure the Governor is re-elected. We’re not going to let that happen. Our confidence in each other as Democrats propelled us to victory in 2012, and it can again in 2014. There are a number of strong candidates currently weighing their options and making up their minds about a run for governor. In the coming months, names will emerge and Democrats will be ready to win back the Blaine House. We want to make sure you will be there with us. Sincerely,

Gov. Peter Shumlin, DGA Chair