The Kennebec Journal

STATE HOUSE

June 22

Smith quits Senate race

Replacement to be selected by Democrats next week

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

AUGUSTA -- Democrats in Kennebec County will meet next week to pick a replacement candidate in the Senate District 21 race after Rep. Nancy Smith, D-Monmouth, dropped out.

Smith had signed up to run but dropped out of the race after taking a job in April as executive director of GrowSmart Maine.

"This job came up and it was the perfect job," she said.

Smith, who served eight years in the Maine House and was most recently chairwoman of the Legislature's Business, Research and Economic Development Committee, said she will miss legislative service but could not juggle the job and a Senate seat.

As a result, Democrats are looking for someone to take on Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner, in the November election.

All 35 Senate seats are on the ballot this year.

Senate District 21 includes the municipalities of Pittston, Randolph, Chelsea, Gardiner, West Gardiner, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Manchester, Winthrop, Monmouth and Litchfield. McCormick has held the seat for four years but, for 10 years before that, it was occupied by Democrats: two years by Scott Cowger, of Hallowell; and eight years by Rep. Sharon Treat, D-Hallowell.

Rita Moran, Kennebec County Democratic Committee chairwoman, wrote in a news release that the June 30 caucus will be open and competitive.

"Any registered Democrat who lives in the district is invited to compete to be on the ballot in November, and several people have already expressed strong interest," she wrote. "All potential candidates will have the opportunity to speak, and answer questions from attendees."

Any Democrat can attend the caucus, but only those who live in the district can vote on the nominee. The caucus will be held at 6:30 p.m June 30 at Hall-Dale Elementary in Hallowell.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com