Republican blogger seeks House seat

Ken Capron, a Portland Republican, said he is frustrated with the irresponsiveness of his state representatives, so he plans to challenge Rep. Charlie Harlow, D-Portland, in November.

Capron runs the Web site Watchdog Maine.

He said he noticed years ago instances of fraud within the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services – and no one would listen until the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability was created. He started blowing the whistle after a personal experience with the bureau.

Following an OPEGA report, bureau employees were recently referred to the Attorney General’s office on allegations of fraud.

He said he also got the brush-off over his concerns about eminent domain in the state.

If elected, Capron said the first thing he would do is listen to the concerns of the different Portland neighborhoods, and address those in the Legislature. He said he already has ideas for bills to submit. He has a background in accounting, so he said he will focus on government accountability.

“We have local meetings of Republicans in the city,” Capron said. “We don’t have anybody who will come into the area and listen.”

He also said he wants to focus on lowering taxes by handing social welfare programs back into the hands of private non-profits.

“Why not have the same tax situation as New Hampshire?” Capron said. “Someone needs to explain to me why we can’t.”

Harlow, a former Portland mayor, is seeking a third term.

In the Legislature, he said he has improved school-based health care, increased Pine Tree zones, and established a reward system for those who give information leading to the conviction of the killer of a police officer.

“My whole life has been about helping other people,” Harlow said.