Maine Ahead Magazine Profiles Maine’s Gubernatorial Race

BANGOR, MAINE - Maine’s only statewide monthly business magazine is giving readers the chance to get acquainted with Maine’s gubernatorial candidates as the campaign season is set in motion. Maine Ahead magazine’s Sept./Oct. issue features unique question and answer sessions with all five candidates for governor on issues that matter to Maine’s business community. The candidates’ discussions include the topics of business-friendly legislation, Maine’s ability to attract new business, our competitive advantage compared to that of New Hampshire, business taxes and regulations, and the state’s controversial Dirigo Health program.

“Traditionally, people start paying attention to elections in Maine after Labor Day,” according to publisher Mark Wellman. “This is the first real opportunity for all five candidates to come together in writing and talk about issues that will affect Maine’s business community. The readership of this magazine is Maine’s business community and it will be important for them to read what all of the candidates have to say.”

The magazine’s writers used the first six issues of Maine Ahead as the foundation for the questions for the five candidates. Pulling from interviews conducted with business leaders such as Hannaford CEO Ron Hodge; Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors; Tom’s of Maine Founder Tom Chappell; and questions asked of Maine governors Baldacci, King, McKernan, Curtis, and Reed in the inaugural issue of Maine Ahead; the candidates were given the opportunity to present their vision for Maine’s ideal business environment.

“With five names on the ballot, it can be difficult for candidates to differentiate themselves from one another,” editor in chief Tori Britton says. “But through Maine Ahead, we have been given the opportunity to get a feel for what is really hampering Maine’s business climate, and to ask these candidates what they will do as governor to improve that climate.”

In addition to discussions with the gubernatorial candidates, the Sept./Oct. issue of Maine Ahead also features an interview with Dr. Habib Dagher from the University of Maine, a photo-driven private tour of Pratt and Whitney, and opinion pieces on how to transform Maine’s economy.

In its inaugural year, Maine Ahead magazine was created with a mission to provide “business intelligence and inspiration to people in charge.” The magazine is published 10 times a year and is mailed to about 14,000 titled executives throughout the state. It is also sold on newsstands statewide, and is available by subscription.

For more information on Maine Ahead call 207.941.1300, or visit www.maineahead.com.