Strimling for Maine Senate 8
Ethan Strimling, the Democratic incumbent, has forced the Maine State Retirement System to divest from Sudan, supported wind power, and required police to notify domestic-violence victims if their attacker purchases a gun. Strimling is also the director of Portland West, a nonprofit helping disadvantaged Portlanders, is strong-willed and progressive, and should return to Augusta. Green Independent Kelsey Perchinski has her heart in the right place, but hasn’t demonstrated the in-depth understanding of the issues she’d need to serve. Republican David Babin is a social worker who supports TABOR and thinks too many people are fleecing the MaineCare system.
Brannigan for Maine Senate 9
Democrat Joseph Brannigan has enough experience in Augusta — seven terms in the House and four in the Senate — to be able to stand up for what he believes is right. Republican David Fernald, though his efforts with the Maine Technology Institute are encouraging, does not appear to hold any positions other than what party leadership espouses. Brannigan, director of the nonprofit Shalom House, which assists adults with mental illness, is well-placed to help Mainers in need, and has seen enough state budgets to be able to spot fishy numbers.
Brautigam for Maine House 113
Anybody who gets called on by the state’s attorney general to argue a landmark prescription-drug-discount case before the US Supreme Court gets our vote. Democrat John Brautigam is that man, and he won the case, protecting Mainers from exploitation by pharmaceutical companies. He also supports raising the minimum wage, upping teachers’ minimum salaries, and single-payer healthcare. Repeat Republican opponent David Elowitch, who lost by 55 votes in 2004, espouses fiscal conservatism, but his ideas appear to be nothing more or less than the standard party line. Portland needs original, creative thinkers, not parroters of others’ views.
Marley for Maine House 114
Alternative transportation methods are important to the future of Portland, of Maine, and of our country. Democrat Boyd Marley, as chairman of the House Transportation Committee, has moved in that direction, advocating for improving and expanding rail service, but needs to go farther, including working on bus and bicycle transportation problems. That said, he has proved an effective leader, while his opponent, Republican Sharon Forbis, has not even articulated any plans for what she would do if elected.
Cummings for Maine House 115
Incumbent Democrat Glenn Cummings, widely expected to be the Democratic Party’s leader in the House (and house speaker if the Dems keep the majority), will be in a powerful position to move Portland and Maine in the right direction, and should be reelected. His Green opponent, Murrough O’Brien, is a single-issue candidate, and while global warming is important, we need more breadth of thought in a legislator. Republican challenger Melinda Loring says she wants to keep young people in Maine, but has no clear way to do so.
Harlow for Maine House 116
Democrat Charlie Harlow is a former Portland mayor whose views are not only well-informed, but interestingly presented. He was respected enough by his peers to be put on two committees in his first term, and began important work by proposing a way for senior citizens to defer payments on property taxes, an idea that died in committee. His proposal for having the state take over the Dirigo Health plan is well-intentioned, and may work (somehow) in practice. Challenger Janette Gauger is a political rookie whose ideas don’t appear far from those of Harlow, whose experience gives him the edge.
