Good morning from Augusta, where a battery of independent gubernatorial and legislative candidates gathered for a training session and news conference with unenrolled incumbents on Monday. But can they actually change outcomes in the State House?
Independents have been trying to create a party-like support system for candidates. We’ve been watching the tightened organization of independents since last year, when a political action committee linked to former staffers for 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler formed. But it hasn’t reported spending yet this year.
Two independent House members were elected in 2016 — Reps. Kent Ackley of Monmouth and Owen Casas of Rockport. Since then, two Republican incumbents and two Democratic incumbents have also unenrolled, including Rep. Martin Grohman of Biddeford, who is running against U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine’s 1st District.
Those three independents led Monday’s training session, which also included State Treasurer Terry Hayes, former Lewiston and Auburn Mayor John Jenkinsand Ken Capron of Portland, who are running for governor, Maine Senate candidate Crystal Canney of Portland and Walter Riseman of Harrison, who lost narrowly to Rep. Phyllis Ginzler, R-Bridgton, in 2016.
The County is pleased to feature content from our sister company, Bangor Daily News. To read the rest of “Maine independents strive for State House relevance,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Michael Shepherd, please follow this link to the BDN online.
