Candidate Steve Woods Offers Endorsement to Angus King

Independent US Senate Candidate Wants to Avoid "Spoiler" Dynamic in Senate Race

FALMOUTH, Maine, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Steve Woods, an Independent candidate now certified to appear on the November 6th, election ballot for the United States Senate representing Maine, announced today that he will be joining Angus King in publically stating that he will not play the "spoiler" in the November election.  And as part of that agreement, Woods endorsed King as being, "…smart, honest, moral, articulate, charismatic, funny, warm, thoughtful and more politically astute than Bill Clinton & Ronald Reagan combined.  And, of course, a man of the people; driving an RV across America, riding motorcycles through the rolling hills of Northern Maine, bowling strikes, drinking beer and telling folksy stories are all core elements of both the man & mythology of Angus King."

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Early in his campaign, King announced that if he "couldn't win" the Senate election that he would not be a spoiler and change the dynamic of the race and that he would end his campaign.

Said Woods, "I have great respect for Angus King and I share his commitment to the citizens of Maine not to allow for a fractured candidate field to cause a Senate election result contrary to the majority will of the voters.  During our last gubernatorial election here in Maine, many voters (61%ers) felt/feel as though a fragmented voting bloc allowed a non-majority candidate to win the election with less than a mandate.  The same charge was made in the 2000 Presidential election when it was suggested that Ralph Nader siphoned too many votes from Al Gore, causing him to lose Florida – and swinging the national election.  I'm sure that neither of us would like to see the same thing happen again in Maine in 2012 with so much at stake here in Maine and across America."

"For that reason, this morning I met with Angus King at his campaign headquarters and hand delivered a letter to him offering a simple and straightforward mutual agreement.  In the spirit of "country first" and "Maine first," I proposed that he and I enter into an iron-clad agreement to enforce that promise to the citizens of Maine.  My proposal; if either one of us has a 10-point deficit (or more) behind the other in an impartial poll (Critical Insights or another mutually agreeable polling organization) exactly one week before the November 6th election, then that person will resign from the race by informing the media on October 30th.  Furthermore, the resigning candidate will send an email to all of his supporters on October 31st encouraging them to support the prevailing Independent candidate.  My meeting with Angus was very positive and cordial," explained Woods.

"Angus and I share a deep rooted respect for Abe Lincoln, Margaret Chase Smith and other great political leaders with legacies of bold leadership, selfless civic duty and personal sacrifice.  By entering into this unprecedented "Maine First" campaign agreement, I'm hoping that we're able to change the tone and tenor of the upcoming campaign to a more respectful dialogue between us and Mainers – while reinforcing the need and opportunity for an "Independent" from Maine to join the US Senate and help to loosen the partisan gridlock," Woods said.

When asked, "why now?, Woods offered, "The reason that I am endorsing Angus now in June is not because I believe that he could do a better job than me in representing Mainers in the U.S. Senate – I don't.  Between now and November 6th I will do my best to demonstrate to each and every Maine voter why I am the best candidate to earn their vote.  I truly believe that I possess a unique set of qualifications and a meaningful skill set that is best suited to effectively represent Maine in the United States Senate.  But regardless how voters vote, or how I might want them to vote, my honor and integrity will remain intact and I will be ethical and honest in every aspect of my campaign."

"How could Americans believe Hilary Clinton's "endorsement" of Barack Obama in 2008 after months and months of her brutal political and personal attacks?  Same goes for Newt Gingrich now showing the proverbial love towards Mitt Romney after tearing him to shreds in the media for more than a year.  How can these political leaders express vile hatred towards each on a Monday and then after losing a political race a day later, stare into the eyes of the American voter and profess great admiration for the other candidate?  These political lies are not without consequence as they contribute to rampant voter apathy and an electorate that has lost almost all faith and trust towards government and elected officials."

"I like and respect Angus King today in June.  It's my belief that I will continue to like and respect him the day after the election on November 7th, win or lose.  Why not be honest now?" concluded Woods.

NOTICE: US SENATE CANDIDATE STEVE WOODS WILL BE ATTENDING THE "POSITIVE POLITICS" RALLY AT THE MAINE STATE PIER IN PORTLAND, THURSDAY, JUNE 14TH, FROM 1:00-2:30PM IN SUPPORT OF GREATER CIVIL DISCOURSE IN POLITICS.  CANDIDATE WOODS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS HIS ENDORSEMENT OF ANGUS KING.

Steve Woods is currently the Chairman of the Yarmouth Town Council and President and CEO of TideSmart Global (www.TideSmart.com). Woods built an industry-leading group of six companies, all headquartered on an 6-acre eco-friendly campus in Falmouth, Maine. Continued growth has created numerous jobs for hard working Mainers.  Woods recently brought his experience as a former NBA and MLB player agent to the NBA D-League's Maine Red Claws, becoming a part owner in 2011.  In addition, Woods is a partner/investor in the Forefront Development at Thompson's Point in Portland.

Together with his wife Katie and their three children, Woods lives in Yarmouth where he has served town government in a number of leadership roles.  Woods also serves on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine.

SOURCE Steve Woods For US Senate