million. One of his major proposals included restructuring the Maine university system, which he felt was grossly inefficient. His work at the commission gave him a prominent statewide profile, something he decided to try to turn into an electoral mandate when Governor Curtis retired in 1974. Longley had been a lifelong Democrat, but due to earning a maverick reputation acting in a non-partisan role on the cost-cutting commission and because he inadvertently missed the filing deadline for party candidates, he ran as an independent. Some Maine observers believed he knew he would be unable to beat both former Muskie adviser George Mitchell and state Senator Joseph Brennan in a Democratic primary, causing him to not file with the party. He ran on the slogan "Think About It", a phrase he often used with insurance customers to get them to consider his products. The issues In 1974, the economy was volatile and inflation was high. Maine's economy was in a weak position with high unemployment and low wages, and all three candidates focused on this economic uncertainty in their respective campaigns. Issues such as oil prices, health care, the environment and care for the elderly were also major themes that dominated the debate by the candidates. Longley campaigned on a platform of cutting government and making it more efficient, hoping to capitalize on the reputation he had earned with the commission. However, he struggled to get attention in the race, as most media outlets focused on Mitchell and James Erwin (who had run for governor the previous cycle as well). Toward the tail end of the campaign, however, increased attention was focused on Longley, with newspapers profiling his candidacy and speculating that he was on par with the other two candidates. When the Bangor Daily News issued an endorsement of Longley, many observers believed it gave Longley instant legitimacy. The election An Associated Press poll three days before the election showed Mitchell and Erwin running neck and neck, with Longley trailing by double digits. However, that same poll noted that 37 percent of the electorate was still undecided, leaving open the possibility that they could swing any direction at the last minute. On Election Day, Longley won with 39 percent of the vote, followed by Mitchell at 36 percent, and Erwin with 23 percent. Mitchell attributed his loss to "distrust and cynicism about politics and politicians", "widespread concern over the economy",