Maine GOP hopes to recoup 2006 losses

MINNEAPOLIS -- 2006 wasn’t a good year for Republicans. This year the Maine Republicans hope to redeem themselves.

Maine’s Republican National Committeeman Rick Bennett said the party is undergoing a transition, but hopes the John McCain-Sarah Palin presidential ticket will represent a reformist agenda. With them on the top of the ticket, combined with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor), who is running for reelection, he hopes to see an effect on the down-ballot races.

On the state level, Republicans hope to gain control of the state Senate, which currently has a gap of one seat.

In the Maine House, Republicans hope to close the gap.

State Rep. Josh Tardy (R-Newport) is the House Republican Leader and is leading the Maine delegation at the Republican National Convention this week in Minneapolis.

He said this year Republicans are in good shape, are organized and have a high level of participation.

In 2006, the state House lost a number of seats to the Democrats, and these are the seats the Republicans will work to get back.

In addition, there are four people who had served in the past that are hoping to reclaim a spot in the House, including Bob Nutting (R-Oakland), Kevin Glynn (R-South Portland) and Robert Cameron (R-Rumford).

Also Julie O’Brien (R-Augusta) is running. O’Brien is a previous state representative and current executive director of the party.

“In House races it’s all about the quality of the candidates, and making sure the candidates are connecting on the local level,” Tardy said.

The Republican candidates in races for national office all are toward the center of the ideological bar. Presidential candidate John McCain, Collins and Congressional candidate Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough) are all regarded as moderates.

Bennett said the debate is not about moderate versus conservative but about who can attract the independent vote.

McCain, Collins and Snowe accomplish this by being mavericks – they have a record of breaking party lines, Bennett said.

“Charlie Summers is another one who’s free thinking…” Bennett said. “Maine people want someone who can think for themselves.”

People are fed up with government and wanting a change, and with the right candidates the Republicans can bring forth this change, Bennett said.

“Government is not responsive,” Bennett said. “The chickens are coming home to roost.”

As the newly elected national committeeman, Bennett will be the liaison with the Republican National Committee when the 2010 gubernatorial race rolls around.

Bennett said the Republicans can win the Blaine House with a candidate committed to providing an educated work force, lower taxes and a focus on capital investment.

Republican National Committeewoman Karen Raye agreed that the moderates play better to the independent vote – a key demographic in Maine elections.

“Mainers tend to be more moderate,” Raye said. “They tend to want to elect people who will work across party lines instead of (staying on) the fringe of either party.”