Wiscasset’s Thursday, July 31 Art Walk had a new twist: Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler and some of his campaign entourage were in town to meet with voters and drum up support.

About 40 people turned up for the wine and cheese reception and a presentation by Cutler under the heavily-laden pear trees at the Marston House on Main Street. 

In a continuing theme of his campaign, Cutler hearkened back to his immigrant grandfather, who settled in Bangor, as a source of inspiration in his campaign for governor.

“I owe my life to the fact my grandfather and mother found substantial equality in Maine,” Cutler said. “What we all want is a substantial equality of opportunity.”

As he did at a Southport Island event last month, Cutler pointed to the 11 years of economic decline and partisan gridlock in Maine under the last two democratic and republican governors.

“We just keep sinking further. Why?” Cutler asked. “Wouldn’t you think people whom we elect to public office would take off their red shirts and their blue shirts and say, ‘This is not a democratic problem or a republican problem; this a a problem that affects every one of us that lives in and loves the state of Maine?’ And they are not doing that. Why?”

“The money,” according to Cutler, is “why” and he pointed to the billions in political contributions from corporations and individuals as the root cause of federal and state government dysfunction.

Cutler then focused his attention on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Congressman Mike Michaud, who raised $6.5 million in campaign contributions between 2001 and 2013 and who announced last week that a new pro-Michaud PAC has pledged $2 million in paid political advertising.

“Those weren’t contributions or donations,” Cutler said. “Those were investments. Those were rentals. Those were access payments and his voting reflects that.”

Cutler has relied on individual donations, which are capped at $1,500 per person, and substantial outlays of his personal wealth, to finance his campaign. He has contributed almost $1 million to the current campaign to date, which has raised about $2 million so far.

Although Cutler has vowed not to take PAC money, the Campaign for Maine has raised about $250,000 this year to support his election.

“Campaign for Maine is an independent expenditure committee. We have no control over how they raise, what they raise or do with the money,” Cutler Communications Director Crystal Canney wrote in an email. “The campaign is accepting zero money from PACs — but we cannot control what other groups spend on their own, whether it’s for or against us.”

As he did in Southport, Cutler encouraged attendees to read his policy pieces and his book “A State of Opportunity,” in which he has explained his plan to “turn Maine around.” Cutler said he is unique in offering detailed solutions to Maine’s economic and inequality problems.

“The choice they are offering voters is a choice between what’s not working today and what didn’t work before,” Cutler said. “It’s a choice between nice and incompetent and mean and inept. When I hear people say I’m a spoiler, give me a break, I’m a choice.”

Cutler asked those present to support his candidacy with their dollars, letters to the editor, bumper stickers and lawn signs. He also asked everyone to bring pressure to bear on Michaud and Gov. Paul LePage, who have refused all invitations to debate until October.