Lewiston mayor crosses lines to support Collins Democrat backs senator’s ‘moderate voice’

LEWISTON – Sen. Susan Collins had an opportunity to showcase her credentials as a moderate Saturday when she picked up the endorsement of Mayor Larry Raymond, a longtime Democrat.

The popular Raymond, who served more than 30 years as judge of probate for Androscoggin County and was elected mayor of the state’s second-largest city with 70 percent of the vote last year, said he based his decision on the fact that Collins was a moderate voice in Congress. He also said she won his support because, when called upon, Collins had delivered for Androscoggin County.

“I’ve broken some hearts today, and I’m prepared to accept that,” Raymond said of his defection to Collins. “I’ll probably get some calls on this, though I didn’t do this without thinking it through. Hers is a reasonable, moderate voice and I think it’s vitally important for her to return to Washington.”

Throughout her re-election campaign against former Maine Senate Majority Leader Chellie Pingree of North Haven, the Republican Collins has contended that her voting record in Washington places her in the ranks of the Senate’s moderates.

The Democrats have refuted Collins’ claims of moderation, however, repeatedly citing her support for President Bush’s $10 trillion tax cut and his appointment of John Ashcroft as attorney general as examples of her conservative leanings. They also have pointed out her wealth of campaign contributions from big business and votes against health and prescription drug plans as indications of her true leanings.

Raymond said he was backing Collins because he was “constantly impressed by her thorough, thoughtful approach to issues and open-mindedness regarding ideas.” He said she understood that no individual party could corner the market on ideas.

“I am truly grateful to have the endorsement of Mayor Raymond,” Collins told the group of supporters who crowded into Raymond’s Park Street law office for the announcement. “The backing of someone of his stature, with such a long and distinguished record of service to the people of Lewiston and all Androscoggin County, is an honor for me and my campaign.”

Introducing Raymond was another longtime Democrat, Cumberland resident Scott Hutchinson, who served as campaign treasurer for former Sens. George Mitchell and Edmund Muskie and former Gov. Kenneth Curtis. He spoke as a representative of “Democrats for Collins” a group of approximately 90 renegade party members who have thrown their support behind Collins.

Hutchinson said that while Pingree had done a commendable job serving in the Maine Senate he decided to throw his support to Collins because of the current state of world affairs. He said that six years in Washington had provided Collins with the experience needed to navigate the halls of power during troubling times.

“We’re in a war, whether we like it or not. I don’t see any reason for making changes,” said Hutchinson.

Collins said she was “beyond honored” by the Raymond endorsement and that having him on her team would boost her chances to win re-election.

“I am delighted that our campaign has been able to put together a coalition of Republicans, Democrats and independents who are all working together for my re-election,” she said. “We know that working together we can build a better Maine. And that’s what I’ve done in Washington; I’ve worked with senators on both sides of the aisle to get things done.”