Brian Hamel ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for Congress in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Now, that decision appears to have cost him his job as the president and chief executive officer of the Loring Development Authority.

Hamel was defeated by incumbent Rep. Mike Michaud on Nov. 2. Hamel took a leave of absence from the Loring job to mount his race. After he lost, Hamel was ready to step back into his old job, reported the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday.

Apparently, stepping into the public arena in an effort to serve the people of Maine carried a bigger cost than just the rigors of a tough campaign. It cost Hamel his job.

According to the Bangor paper, at a Nov. 11 meeting of the Loring Authority’s trustees, questions arose over whether Hamel could effectively advocate in a state dominated by Democratic lawmakers after challenging one of the party’s leaders.

During the campaign, the Sun Journal endorsed Michaud. An experienced lawmaker and able politician with a wealth of personal ties to our community, he was the better choice to represent the people of the 2nd District in Washington.

That does not mean, however, that we believe Hamel should be run out of his job. Hamel joined the Loring Authority in 1994, and his current contract runs until June. The Loring Authority trustees should honor their contract – without placing pressure on Hamel to simply resign. At the end of the term, the trustees and Hamel can decide if the relationship should continue.

A person who enters the arena of politics shouldn’t have to give up his or her job if unsuccessful. Already, the halls of power are overpopulated by the wealthy, people who don’t have to worry about holding a normal job and paying the bills while running for office. If Hamel is forced out, a chill could undermine the political ambitions of qualified candidates for public office.