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After years of less-than inspiring candidates, Republicans in Maine’s 1st Congressional District this year have a choice between two candidates who both espouse many conservative views but pledge to work with anyone, regardless of party affiliation, in Congress. An Army veteran and defense contractor Ron Russell of Kennebunkport and Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth, a former tech professional who is now a substitute teacher, are competing in the June 11 Republican primary to run against Democrat Chellie Pingee in November. Pingree is seeking her ninth term in Congress.
Both candidates met with the Bangor Daily News editorial board for wide-ranging conversations about their top issues and priorities if elected.
Like most Republican candidates this year, both Piantidosi and Russell echoed GOP talking points about border security, economic malaise and federal spending, and the need to produce more energy in the U.S. Both men support former President Donald Trump, which appears to be an unfortunate prerequisite in today’s Republican Party. Both praised his foreign policy with Russell, an Army veteran, saying Trump’s unpredictability kept foreign leaders on their toes. Piantidosi said he had questions about Trump’s domestic policy and his “rampant spending.”
We have concerns about both candidates’ skepticism of renewable energy and their views that climate change is a problem for the developing world to play a larger role in addressing before the U.S. does more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, both candidates readily admitted that they are seeking to represent a district that leans pretty liberal. As a result, both said they would work with lawmakers from any party to pass legislation that would help their constituents. Russell pledged to hold regular town hall meetings to find out how his constituents want him to vote. This is a refreshing form of responsiveness that more elected officials should consider. Russell’s fairly detailed policy positions on his campaign website also set him apart from other Republican candidates in Maine this year. However, we are a bit concerned that he says he moved back to Maine specifically to run for Congress.
While Piantidosi touts “protecting religious beliefs” on his campaign website, we were impressed by his thoughtfulness on this often divisive topic. For example, he said, he supports people being able to marry who they want and transgender people being able to access the health care they need. “Your rights trump my personal beliefs,” he said in a welcome break from efforts by some to use their personal beliefs to shape public policy.
We also appreciated Piantidosi’s stated willingness to buck his party when he thinks they are wrong. As an example, he cited Rep. Mike Gallagher’s opposition to House Republican attempts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher opposed the impeachment because, he said, it was done for political reasons and would open the door to perpetual impeachments. The Wisconsin representative was one of only four Republicans to vote against the Mayorkas impeachment in the House. Days later, he said he would not run for re-election.
The June 11 election is a semi-open primary, meaning that unenrolled voters can cast a ballot in one party primary. It remains to be seen how many of these voters show up for this primary, where early voting is already occurring.
On the GOP 1st Congressional District primary ballot, Republican voters have a choice between two avowed conservatives, both of whom say they won’t always toe the party line. Given the makeup of the 1st District, we feel that Piantidosi is a solid choice to challenge Pingree in the fall.