Maine: Big GOP Primary to Find Contender for Open Gov Seat

Race to Watch: 

Republican Gubernatorial Primary -- Steve Abbott vs. Peter Mills vs. Bruce Poliquin vs. 
Les Otten vs. Paul LePage vs. Matt Jacobson vs. Bill Beardsley

Maine voters will choose nominees for governor in a wide-open race to replace Democratic Gov. John Baldacci, who's finishing his second four-year term and cannot seek a third. A seven-way Republican primary includes Steve Abbott, former chief of staff for Sen. Susan Collins, and Tea Party favorite Paul LePage, mayor of Waterville.

The race is a scramble, and no clear front-runners have emerged. Recent polls show about half of GOP voters are still undecided. Candidates have been talking about jobs and cutting government regulation as they tour the state in a last-minute bid to court supporters.

The victor will challenge the winner of the Democratic primary, in which four candidates are competing. Those candidates include Senate President Libby Mitchell and former Attorney General Steve Rowe.