Lisbon’s D’Amboise announces GOP bid for 2nd District seat

Republican L. Scott D’Amboise of Lisbon on Friday announced his intention to challenge U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud for the congressional seat representing northern and eastern Maine.

D’Amboise, 42, is a former selectman in Lisbon, a town in the southern tip of the district outside of Lewiston. He counts job creation, tax reform and national security among his top priorities in running for the 2nd District.

“We face significant challenges – both as a state and a nation – and we need serious people in Washington who are prepared to create workable solutions,” D’Amboise said in a press release. “It’s time we expect more out of our representatives.”

With next week’s deadline looming for party-affiliated candidates to register with state and federal election officials, D’Amboise is the only Republican vying for his party’s nomination. To qualify for a spot on the Maine primary ballot, he must submit at least 1,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office by March 15.

Michaud, who is unchallenged in his primary, submitted the required signatures earlier this week. His spokeswoman said Friday he welcomes the opportunity to discuss the issues affecting people in the district, but is currently focused on his congressional work.

“He will be running on his record of success,” said spokeswoman Monica Castellanos.

Michaud, a 51-year-old former millworker from East Millinocket, is expected to be tough to beat in his effort to secure a third House term. Michaud won re-election in 2004 with 58 percent of the vote, and already has more than $200,000 in the bank for his 2006 run.

D’Amboise, who works as an eye technician in Portland, said he was not daunted by the task of unseating an incumbent.

“I just have to get out there and let people know what I stand for,” he said.

When asked his position on abortion rights – a recurring issue in congressional races – D’Amboise dubbed himself “pro-life” and said abortion should only be permitted in the cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger.

Castellanos, in explaining Michaud’s position on the issue, rejected the pro-choice and pro-life labels. She said her boss has been an ardent supporter of family planning in an effort to reduce the number of abortions, and said he did not support a constitutional amendment to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing the practice.

D’Amboise does have ties to the Bangor area. He grew up in Carmel, graduated from Hermon High School and attended the University of Maine at Orono. D’Amboise also once worked for the Brewer school system as a teacher’s assistant in the special education program.

His wife, Debbie, is from Bangor. The couple has two children.