During his first term, Michaud, a Democrat, has been a strong advocate for Maine and working families. He has supported efforts to protect workers, expand unemployment protection, ease the high cost of health care and prescription drugs, and managed to bring federal dollars home to a district struggling to overcome lost jobs while also working to help veterans and protect their benefits.
Republican Brian Hamel, running a campaign scripted by the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington, has failed to connect with voters. His message doesn’t resonate and his campaign has been stymied.
He’s in a predicament. Hamel, a relative newcomer to electoral politics, is running against an incumbent, but his party’s in control of the U.S. House, Senate and White House. So he can’t run against the federal government. He’s tried to run against state government on state issues, including business climate and regulations in Maine.
But he hasn’t been successful in his efforts to define Michaud, despite attacking the congressman for his votes against Republican-backed tax cuts that mostly benefited the rich.
The ploy hasn’t worked because voters now have almost 25 years of experience with Michaud to draw upon. They know him, know his story and trust him to look out for their best interests.
Hamel is articulate and easy to like. But that’s not enough to unseat Michaud, who has successfully advocated for the people of Maine in the hostile, partisan environment in Congress and throughout a long career in state government.
National political figures have been paying significant attention to Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Maine, like Nebraska, can split its electoral votes. Republicans have hoped to peal one away by winning in the 2nd District while also knocking off an incumbent congressman who they thought was vulnerable.
President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and a host of other national political figures have been through the district, and Hamel has appeared with many of them. But the district became more Democratic when Waterville was added after redistricting, and the big-name attention hasn’t paid dividends for Hamel.
While the presidential race remains close in the 2nd, Michaud has built an impressive lead in the polls. Michaud won two years ago by fewer than 5 percentage points. He looked like a prime target for defeat. Since that race, however, Michaud has solidified his position with hard work and a near constant presence in the district.
Perhaps Michaud’s greatest advantage comes from his biography. He grew up in Medway, graduated from Schenck High School in East Millinocket and then took a job at Great Northern Paper Co. He’s been there for more than 28 years.
He was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1980 and served seven terms before being elected to the state Senate in 1994. In 2000, he was elected president of the Senate.
Such longevity does not happen by accident. Michaud has an understanding of the work-a-day world in Maine that comes through a lifetime of living and earning a wage here.
Hamel has tried to counter with his own experience at the Loring Development Authority, where he has worked to create new jobs in Maine. He’s had some success, helping to create about 1,200 jobs after Loring Air Force Base closed.
Michaud has received the endorsement of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, a major power in the state that could draw Republican support away from Hamel. Michaud typically sides with labor on issues such as trade and a higher minimum wage, but on some social issues, such as gun control laws and abortion, he takes a more conservative position.
Michaud has been a strong advocate for the people in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. He has proven himself in state and local government.
The Sun Journal, without hesitation, endorses Mike Michaud for re-election.
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