The Legislature flocks North

The biggest political event in Maine Friday night took place four hours from Augusta, in a community center with folding furniture crammed tightly together, potato sacks lining the walls, and high school beauty queens serving up salad and ice cream.

The Potato Festival’s Industry Dinner in Fort Fairfield was the place to be for the who’s who in Maine politics. To give some flavor of the event, at the end of the post is a video of county resident Jeramiah Donovan singing about potato picking season.

There were about 20 legislators there, by this reporter’s count, and countless candidates from the area. This included Maine’s roster of legislative leadership, with the exception of House Minority Whip Robert Crosthwaite… and Sen. John Martin.

Legislative circles pondered the senator’s absence. Martin has represented Aroostook County in the state House and Senate for more than 40 years. Rumor had it that he reserved a ticket.

At the parade Saturday, he explained he was tied up with work. 

“It’s fun, and a wonderful opportunity,” said Senate Majority Leader Elizabeth Mitchell of the dinner. “As a person in leadership I do a better job if I see the whole state.”

Mitchell hopes to be Senate President next session if she is re-elected and the Democrats maintain their majority.

A leadership wanna-be was amongst them, too. Rep. John Robinson, R-Raymond, said he hopes to be elected to House leadership next session.

As enthusiastically described by the beauty queen from Caribou, hometown girl U.S. Sen. Susan Collins sat up front, along with U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud. Diana Allen represented U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who is challenging Collins. John Frary, who is challenging Michaud, was in the crowd, along with independent U.S. Senate candidate Herb Hoffman.

Also making the trip were the three state representatives aspiring to be the next Attorney General, Janet Mills, D-Farmington, John Brautigam, D-Falmouth, and Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, along with the current AG Steven Rowe. Democratic Party Executive Director Arden Manning and Chairman John Knutson were there, along with staff members of the conservative group Maine Leads, Roy Lenardson and Chris Cinquemani.

Where the politicians go, PolitickerME follows. I was able to get the scoop on lots of political activity, especially on the northern Maine races, so expect several posts over the next couple days.