State House runoffs take shape for prominent offices
AUGUSTA, Maine --Maine's 2006 election cycle nears completion on Wednesday as the new Legislature in one of its first acts fills three of Maine's most prominent state offices. Because the Democrats continue to hold a majority, the incumbents are virtually assured of keeping their jobs.
Attorney General G. Steven Rowe, Treasurer David Lemoine and Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap -- each a former Democratic legislator -- were nominated for new terms Tuesday by newly elected Democratic legislators.
Despite their minority status, Republicans also decided to put forth a slate of candidates, setting the stage for runoffs between Democratic and Republican nominees after the new Legislature is sworn in by Gov. John Baldacci.
The Republican slate includes former Rep. Bill Schneider, now the anti-terrorism coordinator for the U.S. attorney in Maine, for state attorney general. The others are outgoing House GOP leader David Bowles for treasurer and former Rep. Donald Berry of Belmont for secretary of state.
The so-called constitutional officers will be elected Wednesday after the 186 newly elected legislators are sworn into office by Gov. John Baldacci.
As Democrats met in a joint caucus, the mood was almost festive as incoming lawmakers made frequent mention of their House and Senate majorities. The Democratic hold on the Senate is a bare 18-17 over Republicans, but Democrats currently claim 89 House seats to 60 for Republicans, with two independents.
Renominations of Rowe, Lemoine and Dunlap came with unanimous assent. And Rep. Charles Fisher, D-Brewer, exhorted his party colleagues to make sure Wednesday's voting by the full Legislature affirmed the Democratic caucus selections.
Bloc voting by Democrats would be the proper way to follow through on their November victories and re-elect the "quality people" put forth for continued service in the constitutional offices, he said.
The "next time" party unity would matter as much, he said, would be when budget legislation acceptable to Democrats comes up for consideration.
Rowe is a former speaker of the Maine House and has served three terms as attorney general. He holds a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law, a master's degree in business administration from the University of Utah and a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Lemoine, a graduate of Colby College and the University of Maine School of Law, heads the agency that manages the state's revenue deposits and trusts, invests the state's cash pool and issues bonds for capital projects.
Dunlap, who heads the agency that oversees motor vehicle licensing and registration, elections and corporations, has undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Maine.
Both Lemoine and Dunlap are seeking second terms in their respective offices.
Democrats and Republicans broke up to caucus separately after a brief gathering of all members, in which Senate President Beth Edmonds, the Freeport Democrat expected to win a second term Wednesday as presiding officer, and outgoing House Speaker John Richardson, D-Brunswick, urged lawmakers to work together whenever possible.
