GOP hopeful takes aim at Baldacci

AUGUSTA – State Sen. Peter Mills of Cornville brought his campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination to the Maine State House on Monday, showing off some of the top organizers of his primary election drive and taking aim at incumbent Democrat John Baldacci.

At his news conference, Mills heard himself described as the Republican candidate who can win next November. For now, however, Mills is competing for victory in an election that will be held in June.

“It’s a time for truth and a time for change, I think,” Mills said.

Other Republican gubernatorial hopefuls are state Sen. Chandler Woodcock of Farmington, former U.S. Rep. David Emery of St. George and lesser-known Stephen Stimpson of Bangor.

Among those backing Mills at the news conference were former Republican Party Chairwoman Kathy Watson, former Republican Party Executive Director Dwayne Bickford and former Republican congressional candidate Dick Campbell.

Mills, calling for curbs on enrollment, joined other administration critics in finding flaws in the Dirigo Health insurance program that has been championed by Baldacci.

“John Baldacci ran for governor by creating an illusion that he could provide coverage for Maine’s uninsured without raising taxes,” Mills said in prepared remarks.

“There is no state in the union with an economy strong enough to support universal health care on its own, and Maine is no exception. But Maine people elected this governor because they were desperate to believe the impossible. If Dirigo was John Baldacci’s answer for the uninsured, then it has surely failed.”

Baldacci shrugged off Mills’ comments and cast Dirigo Health as a success that he will continue to promote.

“I think my work is to do the work here,” Baldacci said, pledging to press for affordable health care and good-paying jobs. “And we’re not going backwards on health care.”

Emery, meanwhile, issued a statement saying he was using a tour of York County to address fiscal affairs.

“As governor, getting Maine’s fiscal house in order will be my first order of business. Limiting state spending and paying down our debt is fundamental to addressing the other pressing problems the state is facing,” Emery said.