The 1974 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic Governor Kenneth M. Curtis was term-limited and could not seek re-election. Independent candidate James B. Longley defeated Democratic Party challenger (and future Senate Majority Leader) George J. Mitchell and Republican James Erwin in a tight three-way contest. Longley's victory made him the first independent (non-party-affiliated) governor in Maine's history. Campaign Democratic nominee George Mitchell was an early front-runner for the governorship in 1974. He had defeated Joseph Brennan in the Democratic primary and had the backing of popular former governor (and then-U.S. Senator) Edmund Muskie. Many Maine political observers believed Mitchell would be able to easily beat back the challenge from James Erwin and become Maine's next governor. Mitchell ran on the campaign theme "There are two Maines. There should only be one." He argued that Maine was a gorgeous state with rich natural resources and was a thriving tourist destination, but at the same time it had high unemployment and a large number of Maine families lived below the poverty line. His campaign focused on ways to bring together the two Maines – a place with a protected environment and a strong economy. Republican nominee James Erwin of York, another early front-runner in the race, had served in the Maine House and Senate before winning his first of three terms as attorney general in 1967. In 1970, he had lost his first run for governor by 890 votes to the Democratic incumbent Curtis, and his campaign theme was "Erwin This Time." He defeated Harrison Richardson, also a state legislator, for the nomination. According to his 2005 obituary, Erwin was "born in New York City and grew up in Englewood, N.J. He spent his summers on his mother's family's farm in South Berwick, which is now the site of Berwick Academy. He graduated from Dartmouth College and served in the Army during World War II." Independent candidate James B. Longley was the owner of a successful insurance agency in Lewiston, who got his first opportunity in statewide politics when then-Governor Curtis asked him to lead a state government commission called the Maine Management and Cost Survey Commission, which was intended to make government more efficient, and cut costs. After some initial reluctance, Longley accepted the position and pursued the job with vigor. Longley made several recommendations that were projected to save the state in excess of $24