FARMINGTON – More than 1,000 signatures have been collected by Selectman John Frary leading him to announce Tuesday that he will be a Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud.

Frary has more than 1,100 signatures ready for review by the state election commission, he said. He needed at least 1,000.

“It was really very humbling to see all those names flooding in giving me the writ of the voters to interrupt my opponent’s coronation. I didn’t have to pay anyone to do it, and there was very little begging. Some, but very little,” Frary said, showing his style of wit in a “campaign unlike any other,” he added.

Frary, 66, a retired college professor and an editor of the Encyclopedia of Military History, announced his intent to oppose Michaud at a state GOP committee meeting in November. He has been campaigning since while securing signatures on nomination papers.

Pledging a new style of campaign, Frary said, “I intend to reward the voters of Maine with a rare treat – an opportunity to hear what I actually think, when I do indeed have a thought, which does occur from time to time. This is in complete contradistinction to my opponent on all points.”

While challenging an incumbent historically is an uphill battle, “the whole idea that (Michaud) could just walk back into office repelled me,” Frary said in response as to why he’s running. In November, Frary labeled Michaud as a party-line voter and said his candidacy can offer voters a clear choice in the election.

Frary, who taught for 32 years at Middlesex Community College in New Jersey, acknowledges that beating an incumbent and raising enough campaign money for the race will be challenging.

Raising funds and meeting voters is the next step in his campaign. So far, Frary has been paying for advertisements and other campaign costs himself. He has supporters who are ready to show zeal for his campaign, he said. More about Frary and his candidacy can be found at www.fraryforcongress.com