Cummings, Edmonds ponder future; Others eye leadership slots

Cross current state House Speaker Glenn Cummings off the list for potential 2010 gubernatorial candidates.

The University of Pennsylvania has accepted Cummings into its doctoral program for higher education. Once completed, Cummings said he would like to get a job as a president of a university or college.

Several Democratic legislators are eyeing leadership slots for the next term. PolitickerME hopes to find out who’s eyeing leadership slots on the Republican side this week.

In the House, Reps. John Piotti, D-Unity, and Sharon Treat, D-Hallowell, both confirmed that they are eying the House Majority Leader seat. Another name being tossed around by several sources is Rep. Gary Connor, D-Kennebunk, though he could not be found this weekend to confirm.

Current House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree hopes to be the next Speaker of the House. So far, no one plans to challenge her.

Assistant House Majority Leader Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, is not running for re-election. Instead he hopes to be the next Attorney General. This weekend, Reps. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, and Richard Cleary, D-Houlton, said they are seeking the majority whip post. Other sources say Rep. Donald Pilon, D-Saco, may be seeking the seat, but he could not be found to confirm.

On the Senate side, termed-out Senate President Beth Edmonds said she isn’t sure what her next endeavor will be. This weekend she served as chairwoman of the Maine Democratic Convention. When asked about running for governor, she said “not today,” as she hurried to solve a problem with the Credentials Committee.

Current Senate Majority Leader Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, said previously that she would like to be Senate President. Sen. Phillip Bartlett, D-Gorham, said he is seeking the Senate Majority Leader post.

Sources say Sen. Lisa Marrache, D-Waterville, is seeking the assistant majority leader spot, though she could not be found to confirm.

All of this is contingent, however, on the Democrats holding the majority in the Senate. If the Republicans take over, Senate Minority Leader Carol Weston, R-Montville, said previously that she would seek the Senate President spot.