2nd District hopeful Hamel speaks to Republicans

AUGUSTA – Aroostook County redevelopment executive Brian Hamel, whose sights are on Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat, touted his record for creating jobs as he introduced himself to Republican delegates at their state convention Friday.

“I think Mainers are ready for a congressman who brings a proactive agenda to Washington,” Hamel said in his address at the Augusta Civic Center. “A congressman who will work tirelessly to reverse the job losses in the 2nd District.”

Hamel, of Presque Isle, hopes to defeat first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud in November. Like the Republicans’ 1st District candidate Charles Summers, Hamel has no primary challenger.

A veteran of 11 marathons, including seven Boston Marathons, Hamel pledged the same commitment to winning in November as he did in preparing for the long-distance footraces.

Hamel said he’s not daunted by what could be an uphill run. Before Michaud was elected, Democrat John Baldacci – now governor – held the House seat for eight years. The last Republican to occupy it was Olympia Snowe, now a U.S. senator, who vacated the post a decade ago.

The 2nd District comprises most of Maine, except for a southern and coastal swath that includes Portland and Augusta. The 2nd District includes Limestone, home of the former Loring Air Force Base, a former bomber base whose closing in 1994 hit like an economic bombshell.

Hamel gained a measure of prominence as president of the Loring Development Authority, which helped to transform Loring into a business center. Hamel said it has restored more than 1,000 jobs in the hard-hit region.

“We now have 20 thriving organizations at Loring – more civilian workers employed today than prior to the closure,” said Hamel, adding that Aroostook’s population has reversed a steady decline.

Hamel is also board chairman of the Maine Winter Sports Center, which hosted this winter’s World Cup Biathlon that drew thousands of spectators from different countries to northern Maine.

“Has Mike Michaud produced these kinds of results for Maine people? Mike thinks his role is to show up after the closing and console millworkers,” said Hamel.

He made reference to his own pro-business stance in chiding Michaud for low ratings in legislative and congressional votes by such groups as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Hamel, who is married and has three daughters, lists as his accomplishments he has received from developers’ organizations. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, was an executive for a manufacturing company in Portsmouth, N.H., and was an accountant with a Boston firm.

In Maine, he served as board chairman of the Maine Community College System.