Maine governor candidate Cutler staying in race

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Independent Maine candidate Eliot Cutler says he is not backing out of the race despite increasing pressure from some voters who see him as a spoiler.Cutler reiterated his earlier statement that if voters don't believe he can win, they should vote for someone else. He said Wednesday he is encouraging Maine voters to vote with their conscience. He says he faces long odds, but still believes he can win the race.Cutler is lagging in polls behind Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud. Those polls predict a close race between LePage and Michaud.Cutler is an attorney who served as an adviser on energy policy to President Jimmy Carter. He lost to LePage in the state's 2010 gubernatorial election.