GOP caucus nominates successor to Holman

AUGUSTA – Republicans in central Maine’s House District 83 have chosen a nominee to fill the vacancy left by the death of state Rep. Abigail Holman of Fayette, who died in a skiing accident April 7.

Republicans who gathered at a caucus Saturday nominated Penny Morrell of Belgrade, who was defeated by Holman in the party’s primary last spring.

Democrats were scheduled to meet Sunday afternoon to nominate their candidate for the June 12 special election in District 83, which covers Belgrade, Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon and Vienna. The election will not affect the Democratic Party’s control of the House.

Morrell, administrative assistant and office manager for the anti-abortion group Maine Right to Life, has been active in local, county and state Republican politics but has never held elective office.

“I want less government,” Morrell said. “That means less taxes, less spending and more opportunity for people in Maine and here in District 83.”