The Republican thinks avoiding the primary is the best bet to beat the incumbent.
LEWISTON – Local Republican activist Bob Stone bowed out of the 2nd Congressional District race Tuesday a week after declaring his candidacy.
Stone, 55 and a retired banker, said his political party has the best chance of defeating incumbent Democratic Congressman Michael Michaud if it avoids a primary fight.
“I think it’s very, very important for the GOP to run a strong, united campaign against Mike,” he said. “It was my determination that (a primary) would not be helpful.”
Stone said it did not look like another Republican would throw his hat in the ring when he announced his bid on Jan. 11.
“I got into the race because nobody stepped up to the plate.”
That changed late last week when Brian Hamel, president and CEO of the Loring Development Authority, jumped into the race for the Republican nomination.
Stone said he put in a phone call to Hamel on Tuesday but had not heard back by the time Stone went public with his withdrawal. He decided he did not need to discuss the matter before making it official.
“It was immediately something I felt very strongly about – and left.”
Stone had done little campaigning or organizing during his short stint as a candidate, he said.
His prior experience in local politics included an effort to push for city ownership and redevelopment of the Bates Mill Complex and a failed bid for a seat in the Maine Senate. His most recent political foray was a campaign to defeat dueling statewide ballot initiatives aimed at boosting property tax relief.
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