Maine College Republicans Field Impressive Roster of State Legislative Candidates

in

March 26, 2008
Release No. 08-02
Contact: Ralph Kettell, (207) 660-5062

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Maine College Republicans Field Impressive Roster of State Legislative Candidates

AUGUSTA - The Maine College Republicans have an impressive roster of candidates running for state legislative office this fall. In a testament to the continued strength of the Maine College Republicans, six members of the statewide organization have decided to run for the Maine State Legislature. Each of these candidates has plans to actively reach out to district voters by canvassing neighborhoods, distributing campaign literature, and attending local civic events over the next several months.

The following College Republicans are candidates for the Maine House of Representatives in the legislative districts listed below:

District 6 (Blaine, Bridgewater, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Mars Hill, Westfield): Tyler Clark (UMPI ’08)
District 73 (part of Lewiston): Jonathan Browher (Bates ’08)
District 76 (part of Oakland and part of Waterville): Andrew Kabatznick  (Colby ’08)
District 77 (part of Waterville): Ryan Lorrain (Thomas ’10)
District 87 (Chesterville, Jay, Mercer, New Sharon and Starks): Angela Courchesney (UMF ’09)
District 89 (Farmington and Industry): Keith Mahoney (UMF ’09)

Maine College Republican State Chairman, Nathaniel Walton (Bates '08) offers strong praise for all of the candidates running for the Maine State Legislature: “Each of these fantastic candidates has demonstrated tremendous courage and self-sacrifice in deciding to run for elective office at such a young age,” Walton said.

“Each candidate has proved their dedication to the conservative cause and I have great faith in the ability of each of them to bring change and hope to the people of Maine. Win or lose, each candidate should be commended for their hard fought efforts,” Walton concluded.

In House District 6, Maine College Republican Secretary Tyler Clark is well positioned to capture an open seat. Clark garnered nearly 40% of the vote in 2006 when he ran against a strong three-term incumbent. With that experience under his belt, Clark is eager to return to the campaign trail: “Voters in District 6 gave me tremendous support in 2006 and for that I am very grateful. Over the next few months, I will be canvassing neighborhoods and reaching out to voters in the district, as I work to build on my strong performance in 2006,” Clark stated.

In House District 73, Bates College Republicans Chairman Jonathan Browher is waging an upstart campaign to unseat incumbent Richard Wagner. Browher intends to promote strong but responsible educational policies for the state of Maine, while also ensuring that intellectual diversity is protected on our college campuses.

In House District 77, Ryan Lorrain promises a spirited challenge to unseat incumbent Rep. Pamela Trinward. Lorrain has a powerful message of bringing change to Augusta and that should resonate strongly with voters in his district. Lorrain claims: “I will bring Republican values to Augusta. I want to represent change in Maine and lead this state in the right direction toward lowering taxes, building a stronger economy, and creating jobs that can keep college students, like me, in the great State of Maine.”

In House District 87, UMF College Republican Vice Chairwoman Angela Courchesney is running for an open seat that is being vacated by Rep. Raymond Pineau. Between her strong work ethic and her deep roots in the Jay community, Courchesney will surely make this race an interesting one to watch on November 4.

In House District 89, UMF College Republican Chairman Keith Mahoney is running a hard fought race to unseat incumbent Rep. Janet Mills. The passion and dedication that Mahoney brings to this endeavor will make this race closer than expected.

Finally, Colby College Republican Treasurer Andrew Kabatznick is making a strong push for an open seat in House District 76.

Chairman Walton is available for interviews/further comments about the Maine College Republicans running for the Maine State Legislature this election cycle. Chairman Walton can be reached by telephone at (207) 240-4549 or by e-mail at chairman@mainecr.org.

For more information about the Maine College Republicans, please visit the statewide organization’s website at http://www.mainecr.org.