By Alanna Durkin, The Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Maine — A new report shows that Maine candidates and outside groups have spent just one-third the amount to run television advertisements in state races this election cycle than four years ago.
The Center for Public Integrity's analysis of media market data shows that more than $1 million was spent to run political ads in Maine gubernatorial and state legislative races through Sept. 8, down from about $3 million at the same point in 2010.
Ads ran have run 4,200 times in the Portland, Bangor and Presque Isle markets this campaign season compared to 12,000 times over the same period four years ago.
This year's drop likely is driven by the fact that Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democrat Mike Michaud were both unopposed this year. There were crowded contests for the open governor's seat in 2010.