Michaud to seek seat in Congress

AUGUSTA – Maine Senate President Michael H. Michaud made it official Friday, throwing his hat into an increasingly crowded field of Democratic candidates vying to become the party’s nominee for the 2nd Congressional District.

With incumbent U.S. Rep. John Baldacci of Bangor stepping down to run for governor next year, the open seat has attracted the attention of at least seven prominent Democrats to date, including Michaud, an 11-term state lawmaker from East Millinocket.

Other Democrats who have already declared or are known to be considering a run at the seat are: state Sens. Susan Longley of Liberty and John Nutting of Leeds; Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky of Fairfield; former state Sen. Sean Faircloth of Bangor; former Small Business Administration regional chief Patrick McGowan of Canaan and Lewiston Mayor Kaileigh Tara.

Barred from seeking re-election to the Senate in 2002 by Maine’s term limits law, Michaud has built a reputation as a moderate and, at times, conservative Democrat who is perceived as a pragmatist by his seatmates. He has served as chairman of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

The 46-year-old Great Northern Paper millworker says his legislative experience will provide him with an advantage over some of his Democratic primary rivals who will have to get up to speed on complex economic and employment issues facing the state. The lessons learned at the State House, he said, will also serve him well in Washington, D.C.

“In order to be a good representative you have to be able to listen to the people that you represent and be able to work out compromises, be open-minded and bring forward solutions to solve problems,” Michaud said. “I’ve been involved in issues throughout the 2nd District while in the Legislature.”

Improving economic conditions and preserving what jobs remain in the 2nd District will be major priorities for Michaud, who said northern and eastern Maine residents desperately need the kind of employment opportunities available in the southern areas of the state.

“If you look at the unemployment rate in the state of Maine, it’s roughly 3.4 percent, but the rate in the 2nd Congressional District is clearly higher than that,” he said. “One of the things I’ve learned is that Maine has done a lousy job marketing itself. I find that all too often when I meet businesspeople who are visiting Maine, they don’t have the same kind of relationship with their state legislators. They were really amazed that I took the time to hear their concerns. Promoting the state as a good place to do business is one thing I would continue to do as congressman.”

Among his accomplishments in the Legislature, Michaud cited his work on Gov. Angus King’s Productivity Realization Task Force that resulted in some streamlining of state government and $45 million in savings. He also was instrumental in crafting two state budgets that funded the largest tax cuts in the state’s history while providing the largest increase to local educational reimbursement in the last 10 years. Michaud also takes credit for backing increases to the state Rainy Day Fund and opposing on-paper financing gimmicks used to balance the state budget.

There’s a lot of legwork ahead for Michaud, who plans to begin campaigning today to improve his name recognition and visibility throughout the 2nd District. Candidates forums will help, but the prospect of contending with six or even more office seekers will force Michaud to choose his words carefully when faced with only precious minutes to make his points.

Competing for time won’t be Michaud’s only consideration. He’ll also be actively fund raising in an attempt to gather the estimated $300,000 he believes will be necessary for an effective primary run. With limited amounts of Democratic money in the state, Michaud is already working hard to try to lock up major contributors before his opponents can obtain their support.

“I’m willing to commit my time to doing the fund raising that’s needed so I can get my message across,” he said.