Olympia Snowe |
Haskell for Maine House 117
Democrat Anne Haskell, who served in the Legislature representing Gorham (as well as on various Gorham boards), is now back in Portland, where she grew up. Her experience in the Maine House will be very valuable, and her knowledge about suburban and rural land-use will help her relate to and understand other House members. Her job, as communications manager for the Finance Authority of Maine, and her past experience in the state administration and in international-trade development make her an outstanding candidate whose opponents, Republican David Pelletier and Green John Safarik, really can’t compare.Hinck for House 118
We have endorsed Green candidate John Eder twice, and might have again, if not for his impressive opponent, Democrat Jon Hinck. Hinck and Eder have acknowledged they have very similar views on a great many issues; the major difference between the two is which one can get more done in Augusta. Based on Eder’s four barely effective years in the Maine House, and Hinck’s years of lawyerly activism on behalf of the environment (in the Exxon Valdez case and for the Natural Resources Council of Maine) and the underprivileged (such as securing nationhood for the people of Palau), Hinck is the best choice.
Adams for Maine House 119
Democratic incumbent Herb Adams, besides being a born orator, is one of the most dedicated politicians in Portland. He supports Opportunity Maine, a petition drive you’ll see this year to offer Maine college graduates, who stay in the state to live and work, a tax credit equal to the amount of their student loan debt. In the last House session, Adams sponsored and passed loophole-closing legislation improving public-housing projects and 911 service quality. Adams’s opponents, Green Independent Matt Reading and Republican Jason Lavoie, are energetic and young, but do not bring enough new ideas or relevant experience to the table to outweigh Adams.
Rand for Maine House 120
The Republican in this race, Jeff Ferland, announced he was dropping out last week and endorsed Green Independent Ben Meiklejohn. Though Meiklejohn is enthusiastic and can relate to young Portlanders struggling to make a living (as he has readily attested to doing), Democrat Anne Rand’s 16 years of experience in the state House and Senate and her focus on social justice, women’s rights, affordable housing, and, as she puts it, “fair tax reform,” will make her the more effective leader.
Mavodones for City Council, At-Large
Nick Mavodones is running for his third term as a city councilor and there is no reason to stand in his way. His opponents — community activist Christina Feller and gallery owner Andy Verzosa — don’t have what it takes to create consensus on the council. Mavodones, 46, has shown that he cares about fostering a vibrant nightlife, supports tax reform (but not TABOR), and thinks affordable housing is a real priority for Portland. We need more careful thinkers like Mavodones on the council.
