Alliance PAC announces state senate endorsements

    AUGUSTA – The non-partisan political action committee of the Alliance for Maine’s Future (AMF Maine Prosperity PAC) has issued its endorsement of 26 candidates running for the Maine State Senate, candidates the group believes could collaborate to improve the Maine economy.  Among the list are 17 incumbents, five challengers and four who are vying for open seats in the 35-member senate.
    “All the key economic indicators for Maine are heading in the wrong direction; personal income, tax burden, electrical energy costs, health care costs and business climate. We think that if these endorsed candidates win their elections, Maine’s prospects for prosperity will vastly improve,” said Tony Payne, executive director of the Maine Prosperity PAC.
    “With the House of Representatives firmly controlled by legislators whose records are hostile toward Maine’s private sector and small businesses, citizens must rely on a majority of state senators for moderate leadership. These senate candidates best represent that hope and spirit of economic bi-partisanship,” said Payne.
    The Alliance for Maine’s Future is the largest statewide grassroots advocacy group for a strong Maine economy and private sector.
    Maine State Senate endorsements include: Mary Black Andrews, York over Sen. Peter Bowman*, Kittery; Sen. Richard Nass, Acton, over Richard Burns*, Berwick; Sen. Jonanthan Courtney, Springvale, over Robert Stackpole, Sanford; Sen. Barry Hobbins, Saco, over John Cushing, Saco; Thomas Dunne, Cape Elizabeth, over Rep. Larry Bliss*, South Portland; Nick McGee, Portland, over Sen. Joe Brannigan*, Portland; Sen. Bill Diamond, Windham, over Tom Golebiewski, Raymond & Lisa Willey, Casco; Sen. David Hastings, Fryeburg, over Lisa Villa, Harrison; Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, Poland, over Rep. Deb Simpson*, Auburn; Sen. John Nutting, Leeds, over Russell Pack, Turner; Sen. Walter Gooley, Farmington, over Ann Woloson, Belgrade; Sen. Paula Benoit, Bath, over Seth Goodall, Richmond; David Trahan, Waldoboro, over Rep. Peter Rines*, Wiscasset; Sen. Earle McCormick, Hallowell, over Sharon Benoit, Monmouth; Rep. Chris Rector, Thomaston, over Rep. David Miramant*, Camden; Sen. Carol Weston, Montville, over Diane Messer, Liberty; Kim Davis, Augusta, over Sen. Libby Mitchell*, Vassalboro; Brent Hutchins, Albion, over Sen. Lisa Marrache, Waterville; Sen. Peter Mills, Skowhegan, over Robert Sezak, Fairfield; Sen. Doug Smith, Sangerville, over Susan Andrews, Dover-Foxcroft; Sen. Kevin Raye, Perry, over Karen Johnson, Addison; Sen. Richard Rosen, Bucksport, over Deborah Deane, Brewer; Tom Sawyer, Bangor, over Sen. Joe Perry, Bangor; Sen. Debra Plowman, Hampden, over Wanda Beland, Newport; Sen. Roger Sherman, Houlton, over Jackie Lundeen, Mars Hill; and Dan Deveau, Van Buren,  over Rep. Troy Jackson*, Fort Kent.
* Indicates legislators whose economic voting record is in the bottom quarter of the entire Maine Legislature.