Gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud will bring another Democratic all-star to Maine Wednesday when Vice President Joe Biden comes to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.
Biden’s visit is scheduled back-to-back with a rally for Michaud Tuesday night in Portland with former President Bill Clinton. Though Biden’s visit is being publicized by his congressional office — which means technically, it is not a campaign event — the timing is unquestionably advantageous for Michaud, who like his opponents will put his campaign into sprint-to-the-finish-line speed as of today. Though Michaud, Republican incumbent Gov. Paul LePage and independent Eliot Cutler have been campaigning since last year — and in some ways even longer — the time between Labor Day and election day in November is the crucial period.
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, who is running for reelection this year against Republican Isaac Misiuk, will also tour the shipyard with Biden.
PNSY’s primary function is the overhaul, repair and modernization of Los Angeles-class nuclear powered submarines. The shipyard employs approximately 4,700 civilians, according to its website.
Seven stories you might have missed last week
- Republican Bruce Poliquin, who is running for Maine’s open 2nd Congressional District seat, asked independent Blaine Richardson, a former Republican, to bow out of the race in order to give Poliquin the best chance of defeating Democrat Emily Cain. Richardson said no.
- Twofer: The Maine Ethics Commission broadened what had previously been a victory for supporters of independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler to benefit all of the candidates in the race when it decided that it would not enforce a $1,500 limit on individual campaign contributions for the general election. The decision followed a U.S. District Court ruling last month that said essentially that the contribution limits are unfair to independents, who are barred from collecting donations for primary elections. Cutler parlayed the ruling into a press conference the next day calling for changes to election laws.
- Democrat Shenna Bellows and Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins detailed their stances on the legalization of recreational marijuana.
- Conservative activist and radio host announced the publication of a book about LePage that he says will detail the governor’s accomplishments as well as the thought process behind his ideology.
- The LePage administration took another step toward its goal of requiring people convicted of drug felonies to pass drug tests in order to receive cash benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
- Republican Sen. Collins landed a few more endorsements from organized labor groups which traditionally have gone to Democrats.
- Check out this nifty election primer the BDN published over the weekend.