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Rep. Gary Moore

State Rep. Gary Moore, R-Standish, said Wednesday that he plans to suspend his campaign for re-election because he is frustrated with the inability of state government and the Legislature to address Maine's ongoing fiscal problems.

"It's so discouraging," he said. "Every year for the last six years, to be up against a financial quagmire, and nothing is done about it."

Moore's name will appear on the ballot as a House District 102 candidate, along with Democratic challenger Michael A. Shaw.

Moore, who has served for three terms, missed the July 14 deadline to withdraw and allow a replacement. He also missed the Sept. 5 deadline to withdraw and take his name off the ballot.

As a result, Moore's name will stay on the ballot.

Shaw said his opponent had given him no indication of his plan to withdraw.

"With or without Gary as an opponent, I am still going to work hard on my campaign," Shaw said Wednesday night. "I am not taking anything for granted and that's why I am going to continue my campaign in earnest."

Shaw came close to beating Moore in a race for the seat two years ago. In fact, he emerged on election night with what appeared to be a 1,601 to 1,588 victory.

An official recount erased that lead and put Moore up by six votes.

Officials later discovered that the number of ballots cast in the race exceeded the number of eligible voters by 15. It appeared that some voters from neighboring House District 103 had been given the wrong ballot.

A special election was needed to decide the race, but Shaw withdrew, in part to avoid the cost of such an election.