Potatoes and Politics: Two College Republicans

Other stories in this series:

A look at the candidates and issues in Northern Maine; Senate District 35; Senate District 34; Two College Republicans; Adam Cote spotting; Splitting the electoral votes

Two college students are seeking House seats because they don’t want to leave Aroostook County. Further, they want to make it a better place for young people.

Zach Smith, R-Presque Isle, and Tyler Clark, R-Easton, both graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle this year, and hope to sit in the House next term.

Both challenged popular incumbents and lost in 2006. Clark lost to Lundeen, 1,881 to 1,122 and Smith lost to incumbent Rep. Jeremy Fischer, D-Presque Isle, 2,150 to 710.

Now the seat Clark is running for is open. Smith has switched districts, and while still running in Presque Isle he faces incumbent Patricia Sutherland, D-Chapman, in District 7.

Both are running on the issue of reforming school district consolidation, which they say threatens the area’s communities.

Clark said he grew up in Easton and had a great experience at a small high school. Consolidation, he said, threatens to close small schools such as his.

Clark said he also wants to help make his district more business-friendly by lowering taxes and decreasing regulations.

Smith is the chair of the Aroostook County Republicans. After high school, he moved from the suburbs of Cleveland to his grandmother’s house in Presque Isle, and later enrolled in UMPI.

Clark helped bring him into the political scene.

“Now that I’ve gotten into it, I really want to stay in the area,” Smith said. “I’m determined to try and help young people see the advantages and the quality of life of living in Northern Maine.”

Video: Tyler Clark talks about his campaign.