AUGUSTA — State Rep. Robert Nutting of Oakland is poised to lead the new Republican majority in the state House of Representatives after winning the nomination during the party's caucus this afternoon.
Rep. Robert Nutting
Nutting was elected after four rounds of runoff voting held in the House chamber. He defeated Rep. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, and two other nominees.
Nutting is now expected to officially become speaker when the full Legislature convenes Dec. 1. Although a formal vote will take place, Nutting is all but guaranteed to win the position because of the Republican majority.
If that vote goes as planned, Nutting will be the first Republican House Speaker since Rep. Richard Hewes, of Cape Elizabeth, held the position from 1973 to 1974.
Nine different Democrats have been speaker during a 35-year reign that fell amid a GOP wave of victories that few anticipated.
Reps. Andre Cushing, of Hampden, and Meredith Strang Burgess of Cumberland, were also nominated.
Nutting emerged victorious after four rounds of runoff voting designed to reach a 40-vote majority.
Strang Burgess withdrew after the first round, while Cushing was out after the second round of balloting.
Davis and Nutting were tied after two head-to-head rounds.
Davis served four terms as a state senator where he served twice as the minority leader and once as the
Outgoing Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, made note of the Republicans' historic takeover of state government, saying voters had given the new majority a chance but that it was up to Republicans earn voters' trust.
"This is an opportunity we've been waiting for over three decades," Tardy said. "The nation is watching us, the people of Maine are watching us."
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Which Party Knows Up from Down?
Sandra2,
Did you vote for the "tax cheat" Nutting? Did you vote for the "tax cheat" LePage? Do you think that with Republicans in charge it will take more much more than a few years to accomplish the amazing success of another wonderful Repulican controlled state: Mississippi? Sandra2, if you're a Democrat than you'd better change parties because we're the party that knows which way is up and apparently you haven't a clue.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.What Republicans Will Deliver: FAILURE
The only "attitude adjustment" that Republicans ever bring is to conduct wholesale scams to steal from the middle class and hand it to their far right boosters. Look for oil drilling in the Gulf of Maine to be framed as the perfect solution to the budget deficit. Republicans don't have any "positive thought" to offer, they merely have social divisions and the insipid blame game. Whenever caught in serious jams, they merely blame Democrats whether or not that makes any sense. America is suffering thanks to what George W. Bush and Republicans did, and they're clapping hands like Republicans didn't drive America's economic car off a cliff in service to narrow dogma that serves no one but large corporations that ship American jobs overseas. Republicans deliver on one thing: FAILURE.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Where Are the Jobs Republicans?
Also, Dirago currently saves small businesses that insure their employees. Republicans complain about Dirigo's cost but when you compare that cost to the cost of providing health care for the uninsured, it's a clear savings. The cost of private insurance is much more than Dirigo for small businesses. So that's Republican anti-logic, get rid of a public program that works and spend more money as a result. It is more proof (as if any was needed) that Republicans are merely right wing goons intent on enriching private insurers at the expense of hard working Mainers. Republicans deliver one thing: FAILURE.
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Voisine, now I know you are really a Republican making such pathetic arguments to make all Democrats look like morons.
Here we have a guy who possibly stole $2 million from the taxpayers and who is about to be Speaker and rather than focus on that, you blather like a mindless broken record about them not creating jobs when they haven't even taken office yet.
There is no doubt Voisine is a Republican plant, who only posts on here to make Democrats look stupid.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.No Wonder Republicans Voted for Him, He's a Tax Cheat
Nutting is a tax cheat and so is LePage. It would seem that Republicans value scamming the system that they vow to improve. Of course they do, it's who they are and why Republicans deliver nothing but failure.
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This is why no one trusts republicans.
Fined $866,000 for overbilling and they entrust him to be their first leader in 36 years. I may vote Republican once in a while, but things like this are why I'm still a Democrat.
http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Nutting-had-million-dollar-pharmacy-d...
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I forgot about this. If this dude were a Democrat all you Republicans who post here would have your panties in a knot! I love it. $866K in Mainecare fraud and he's the new conservative speaker of the house, LOL. It's going to be a fun next two years.
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Thank you Sandra, for alerting me to this story. I researched further and it does seem strange that the two largest newspapers in this state had nothing about this on their websites. I finally found more information and corroboration on the WGME website. It appears Rep. Nutting's pharmacy over billed MaineCare by millions and was charge with fraud. He eventually got the state to agree that it was a "billing error" and settled to repay $866,000. However he closed his pharmacy shortly afterwards, repaying only about $250,000. So he still owes over a half of million dollars to the state. UNBELIEVABLE!! Surely when the final vote is cast for Speaker, he shouldn't received any votes. The Republicans would be wise to vote for their second choice instead.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Oh come on sandra (also)...
it was a simple paperwork error and besides it was his wife that was responsible. So what if he admitted it lay off and pick on someone that truly deserves it. ROFL...He is an innocent victim in this, and besides it was a "white collar" crime and everyone knows that white collar criminals don't go to jail they get promoted.
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And sometimes they even get to be Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
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I'm sure that Nutting already has his big Republican agenda set for bringing jobs to Maine. Not we are expecting JOBS, not EXCUSES Republicans! Where are the jobs?!
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Hey Voisine
I heard TD Bank is hiring at the Auburn Mall Call Center.
Maybe you could try there. i am sure you will find a job eventually, just be patient.
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You freaking dingbat, they have not even been sworn in yet. The jobs will come. You need to get back on you meds Voisine! Gl;ad to hear you are still breathimng though. I thought you died and went south.
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I usually think the meds comment is severely overused in these postings...but in Voisine's case, he's been taking his with warm water since losing the recipe for ice cubes.
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first time I've heard the ice cube joke. Thanks for sharing :)
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You're welcome. Enjoy the buffet, I'm here 'till Thursday.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.interesting fact, when
interesting fact, when electing a Speaker, republicans insisted on an absolute majority for election, however when it comes to governor they feel a plurality is sufficient. Nothing wrong or illegal, merely noteworthy.
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Ole Baldacci garnered 39 percent of the vote for governor. Did you fuss then? I doubt it.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I did not "fuss" now, merely
I did not "fuss" now, merely made an observation. Please be accurate in the future and make a positive contribution if you would like.
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la-di-da to you, too.
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