Change in S.D. 8 lineup: Ginn in, Mitchell out

Portland Democrat Cliff Ginn is planning a bid for the state Senate. The seat is being vacated by Democrat Ethan Strimling, who is running for Congress.

Elizabeth J. Mitchell, also a Portland Democrat, had previously said she would also seek the seat, but today decided against it. She is the daughter of current Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell.

“As much as I would have loved to return to the State Legislature, other important professional and family commitments and opportunities make the timing very difficult. I remain committed to public policy and public service and will continue to be involved in politics,” the younger Mitchell wrote in an e-mail today.

Mitchell served in the House in 1997 when her mom was Speaker of the House.

Ginn is a seasoned advocate in Maine’s political community, most recently serving as president of the Opportunity Maine board. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 2003, where he was editor of the law review.

“I’m running because I’m passionate about economic and social justice, and economic opportunity,” Ginn said.

Opportunity Maine was a citizen’s initiative that passed in the Legislature last year. It allows students to write off their student loans if they go to school in Maine, and then stay in the state. He said the Opportunity Maine campaign was a true non-partisan voice in the state.

Access to higher education will be a priority if he is elected, along with health care, creating universal pre-school, and “creating a tax system where wealthy people pay for their share of quality education.”

If he got to pick his own committee, Ginn set his aspirations high.

“Appropriations,” he said. “Through my legislative advocacy, I’ve really seen that this committee has so much power to allow or prevent things (to go forward.)”