Tag: Maine State Senate

The heart is a lonely hunter

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

I hate to deliver this news:

Joanne Twomey: Portland Press Herald photo

If you or someone you know was hoping to make Gov. Paul LePage’s visit to Biddeford a big part of your Valentine’s Day plans, I hope you have a Plan B.

According to Mayor Alan Casavant, the governor had a scheduling conflict and rescheduled his visit to March 5.

Casavant said he is  still looking forward to the governor’s visit, but our sources tell us that former Mayor Joanne Twomey will likely be very disappointed by the rescheduling.

On January 31, Twomey posted a comment on this blog  about an earlier story regarding the Governor’s pending visit.

“Randy you and Allen (sic) are very wrong, I am looking forward to seeing Governor LePage, you forget I met him when I was Mayor and asking him to bring jobs to Biddeford. Not only will I shake his hand, I will give him a big hug and tell him he should have a heart on Valentine’s Day…”

It looks like Twomey’s big hug will have to wait at least a couple more weeks.

That extra time may give Twomey the time she needs to complete her filing papers and gather signatures for her bid to oust fellow Democrat Paulette Beaudoin for the House District 135 seat.

Some of Twomey’s strongest supporters tell us they have been receiving conflicting information from Twomey about whether she will actually file and run a primary campaign.

I’ve got even money that says Twomey may swing for the bleachers and instead set her eye on the increasingly crowded field in State Senate District 4.

Democrats Stephen Beaudette (a former state rep. and city councilor); David Dutremble, a Biddeford firefighter; and Jim Emerson, a school committee member and former city councilor, have all indicated they want their party’s nomination in the June 12 primary.

As of today, no Republican candidate has surfaced, but James Booth of Arundel has filed as a un-enrolled candidate, virtually guaranteeing a spot for his name on the November ballot since he does not need the blessing of a political party during the primary election.

All candidates for the Legislature must file their paperwork and signatures with the Maine Secretary of State’s office no later than March 15.

Thus, there’s a reason for the centuries-old adage, Beware the ides of March. Translated for my friend Brian Keely: the “ides of March” is March 15, the date when Caesar was allegedly murdered by several members of the Roman Senate, including his ally, Brutus.

Et tu, Brutus?

I ain’t no senator’s son

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Steve Beaudette, a former Biddeford City Council President and State Representative, has tossed his hat into the ring to capture the District 4 State Senate Seat now held by State Sen. Nancy Sullivan.

Sullivan, who is prohibited from seeking re-election because of term limits, has declared she will seek her former House Seat (District 137), which is now occupied by Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant.

Casavant  says he will fight to keep the seat for another term, despite being recently elected as the city’s mayor. See: Ready to Rumble?

Steve Beaudette

While serving on the city council, Beaudette challenged former Mayor Donna Dion when she ran for a second term in 1999. Beaudette lost that four-way race, which also included Rory Holland, a man now imprisoned on a double murder charge.

But Beaudette isn’t the only Democrat hoping to join the “Muffin Club.”

Biddeford firefighter and political newcomer  David Dutremble could give Beaudette a good run for his money.

Dutremble, a nephew of the late Babe Dutremble, has the distinct advantage of a very well know surname that represents a political dynasty in Biddeford. See No.6 in Biddeford-Saco’s 25 most influential political players.

Not only that, Dutremble will be using Maine’s “Clean Election” fund to help secure the win while Beaudette relies on the old-fashioned method of political fundraising with private money.

As these two well-known Democrats go head-to-head in a city dominated by Democrats, one has to wonder why the Maine GOP has yet to file even a paper candidate for the seat. Surely, they would like to keep their majority in the Maine Senate, which now includes 20 Republicans, 14 Democrats and one Unenrolled member; and any open seat coul be vulnerable.

But that’s not all, unconfirmed reports indicate that former city councilor and current school committee member Jim Emerson, another Democrat, is also considering a swing at the District 4 seat. Thus, the June Primary could get very expensive, very quickly….not that those who sell political ads and signs will mind.

To see and keep track of all the candidates who are considering a legislative seat in this year’s election, please visit the Maine Secretary of State’s web page.