Weinberger’s son running for seat in Maine House

AUGUSTA – Replacement candidates have been found in three dozen Maine House of Representatives seats where previous candidates dropped out, and one of the new Republican candidates has a familiar name: Caspar Weinberger Jr.

Legislative officials said Weinberger, of Mount Desert, is replacing Merle Cousins Jr. of Southwest Harbor in House District 35.

Weinberger is the son of Caspar Weinberger, the U.S. defense secretary from 1981 to 1987 under President Ronald Reagan. The younger Weinberger will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Theodore Koffman of Bar Harbor in November’s election.

Weinberger and his wife, Mavis Hodgson, own Windswept House Publishers on Mount Desert Island. They moved seven years ago to Maine, where the former defense secretary also has a home.

Caspar Weinberger Jr., a Harvard graduate, worked for Bank of America and was appointed by Reagan to what is now known as the U.S. Information Agency, where he helped to establish the government television service World Net.

Legislative candidates had until July 12 to withdraw. Replacements can be nominated until this Saturday.

Weinberger was nominated by the Hancock County Republican Committee on Tuesday.