Jon Reisman

This column is being written on Friday, June 7th, but will come out late on or after Election Day. It represents both my analysis and hopes.

2nd Congressional District GOP primary- Soboleski vs. Theriault

I will be voting for western Maine’s Mike Soboleski, who has demonstrated conservative bona fides, political smarts, and grit, as befits a marine, policy warrior, and surprisingly engaging actor on both theatrical and political stages.  Mike is the steady workhorse in this race, with the best chance to defeat Jared Golden in my opinion.

I fully expect Aroostook County NASCAR driver Austin Theriault to best Mike, probably by something like 55-45. Theriault has vastly more funding and former President Trump’s endorsement. He showed his lack of conservative bona fides when he endorsed the climate alarmist wind power transmission line that screws over rural Maine for climate alarmist windmill wet dreams. Austin is the show horse in this race, but his glamor and glitz are not as impressive as Mike’s grit and conviction. Austin will have more resources than Mike, but I will bet Jared Golden will be pleased to take on the show horse as opposed to the workhorse. 

If, by some miracle, I am wrong and Soboleski bests Theriault, I will be making a third campaign donation to Mike. 

Washington County Commissioner District 1- Cassidy vs. Howard 

Cooper is on the far southern edge of Washington County Commissioner District 1 and is one of the smallest towns in a district that includes Calais, Baileyville, and a host of numerous small communities, almost all larger than Cooper. Our immediate neighbors in Cathance Township are in Commissioner District 2, as are East Machias and Dennysville. 

I have known Vinton Cassidy for a long time, as a legislator, County Commissioner, and community college faculty/administrator/potentate. Vint has a lot of experience and history in Washington County, and I trust him to be a good steward for us. I do not know Billy Howard too well, but he has a record of service if a somewhat less clear agenda than Vint. I was surprised Vint chose not to enjoy retirement and forego long drives to Machias. I will be voting for Vint but feel comfortable with either Calais resident serving as County Commissioner. There are no other announced candidates.

Maine House District 10: No Primary

Announced candidates include Republican Will Tuell of East Machias and Democrat Peter Colman of Lubec.  I have known Will for almost 30 years and will be very pleased if he once again represents me in Augusta.

Maine Senate District 6: No Primary

Incumbent Republican Marianne Moore of Calais will take on Democrat Jonathan Goble of Cherryfield.

US Senate: No Primary

Incumbent Independent Angus King of Brunswick will be challenged by Republican Demi Kouzunas of Saco and Democrat David Costello of Brunswick. The second Congressional district–northern, eastern, and western Maine–is without a candidate in this race, and whichever candidate can most appeal to rural voters, might actually have a chance. Senator King has co-sponsored the PROVE IT Act (S1836), a climate alarmist effort to lay the groundwork for a carbon tax that would damage the economy, especially in rural Maine. We will see if Ms. Kouzunas has the wit and grit to take on the climate alarmists, win the second district, and save the country and planet from environmental extremism and eco-fascism.

Jon Reisman is an economist and policy analyst who retired from the University of Maine at Machias after 38 years. He resides on Cathance Lake in Cooper, where he is a Selectman and a Statler and Waldorf intern. Mr. Reisman’s views are his own, and he welcomes comments as letters to the editor here or to him directly via email at [email protected].