Familiar names, political experience, different viewpoints mark the battle for Peggy Rotundo’s seat

LEWISTON – Three well-known candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination in the race to replace popular state Sen. Peggy Rotundo, who has been termed out of her seat in the upper chamber.

State Reps. Margaret Craven and Elaine Makas are competing against each other and Paul Madore, who is well-known for organizing legislation opposing gay rights.

While an experienced campaigner, Madore has yet to hold elected office. Madore ran for state Senate in 1994 and 1996 as a Republican and ran against Rotundo in 2000 and 2004 as a Democrat.

The winner of the primary is slated to run against Lewiston Republican Corey Troup in November’s general election. Some speculate that Troup, who failed to file as a Clean Elections candidate and was absent from the Maine Republican Convention in May, has dropped out of the race. According to the Secretary of State’s office, Troup has not officially withdrawn and remains on the ballot. The Sun Journal has tried unsuccessfully to contract Troup.

Craven and Makas, both three-term veterans of Maine’s House, boast virtually identical voting records, but each has carved out their own legislative niche.

Craven, a member of the Appropriations Committee, works in the private sector as a group home administrator and has been a champion of issues concerning the Department of Health and Human Services.

Makas, a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, is a social psychologist and professor at Lewiston-Auburn College and has taken leading roles in efforts to clean up the Androscoggin River and prevent out-of-state waste from being dumped in local landfills.

Madore, a self-described fiscal and social conservative, is a small business owner and said his campaign is singularly focused on controlling spending in Augusta.

“I don’t think Maine can afford any longer to support big government, and that’s what we have in Maine,” Madore said. “We need to prioritize and I don’t think state government is doing that.”

Madore said he favors maintaining what he calls “entitlements” for the elderly, handicapped and poor, but opposes any tax or fee increases. He also opposes the recently passed beverage tax to offset the cost of the state’s Dirigo health care program.

“There’s a serious danger of losing the entitlements we have if we don’t streamline government,” he said. “I don’t want to cut (entitlements), I want to protect them. But I’m running against those who like to spend, and that’s really what I think is driving the increase in taxes.”

Craven said spending has actually been on the decline in Augusta.

“People don’t realize that we’ve cut over $1.5 billion in six years from our state government,” she said.

Craven said she was wary of Madore as an opponent for the Democratic nomination.

“I don’t want to berate anyone running for public service, but I think honesty is so important. … I’ve always held Democratic ideals,” she said. “You have to be honest. If a few years ago, you’re running on one or two issues and then all of a sudden you say you’ve broadened your scope, well I don’t know how true that is.”

Makas agreed.

“Two candidates have been Democrats all along and there’s another person who’s run for a number of offices, both as a Republican and a Democrat,” said Makas in reference to Madore.

Madore registered as a Democrat in 1998 after his two failed state Senate runs as a Republican. Yet he has made no effort to shy away from his conservative associations and positions on social issues, such as opposing abortion and gay rights, which place him firmly out of the Democratic mainstream.

He recently announced his support for Republican candidate Dean Scontras in Maine’s District 1 U.S. House race, and Madore’s campaign manager, George Rodrigues of Westbrook, has also worked on behalf of Scontras’ campaign. Madore, executive director of the pro-life Maine Grassroots Organization, said Scontras is a personal friend and his endorsement was meant to give Scontras a boost with the pro-life base in the 1st District.

Madore is also the only Democrat ever to receive the endorsement of Michael Heath, executive director of Maine’s Christian Civic League.

But he said people should not question his commitment to the Democratic party.

“I was born and raised a Democrat,” Madore said. He said he became a registered Republican when welfare “went crazy,” but abandoned it because he found Maine’s Republican leadership not “compassionate” enough.

“I’ve been a Democrat for 10 years. If it had been a ploy to dupe the voters, I would have changed a long time ago. I’m a Democrat for life,” he said.

Makas cautioned primary voters to use a broad measure for picking their candidate.

“It’s important to look at what peoples’ views are and it’s also important to look at what their accomplishments have been,” Makas said. “I want people to make an informed decision. This is their election. … Vote for the person you think will best listen to you and help you meet your needs.”

Craven and Makas are both quick to point out their mutual respect for each other and similar voting records, saying their differences can be found in the expertise each offers as legislators.

Craven said her strength lies in working with the budget and issues involving seniors, such as working to preserve home-based, long-term health care in Maine.

“We can’t sustain the cost of nursing care now,” said Craven, who initiated a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the issue over the legislative hiatus.

Makas said her time in the Legislature has been marked by actions rather than words.

“I’m a fighter, I’m not afraid to take controversial stances,” said Makas, who cited her work to help clean up the Androscoggin despite opposition from paper companies.

The creation of Veterans’ Memorial Park in Lewiston is also an example of her commitment to action on behalf of the local community, Makas said.

“It started out as just trying to raise some money for a couple of benches,” she said of the park.

There is something all three candidates agree on despite their differences: campaign tactics. Each has spent many hours walking the streets of Lewiston, knocking on doors and putting up signs.

Madore noted, however, that if there’s one thing he’s learned from years of campaigning, it’s that signs aren’t a true indication of support.

“Signs don’t vote,” he said.

In their own words

State Senate Democratic candidates Margaret Craven, Elaine Makas and Paul Madore on what defines their individual campaigns.

Margaret Craven: I am a hard worker who pulled myself up by my bootstraps. I’m going to use that grit and energy as well as my listening skills to serve the people of Lewiston in the Senate.

Elaine Makas: I’m not afraid to fight for the people of Lewiston even if the cause seems insurmountable. I’ve already done that and I’ll continue to do it. Actions speak louder than words. … I make progress.

Paul Madore: I have a sincere love and respect for the people of Lewiston. Always having the compassion to help and to listen will be my highest priority