ORRINGTON – Farmington Selectman and retired history professor John Frary will bring what he calls his contrarian campaign for Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud’s seat to town with an informal gathering at the home of a former congressional candidate Saturday.

A Republican, Frary will be at the home of former congressional candidate Richard Campbell, a former state House assistant minority leader, at 321 River Road from 2 to 4 p.m.

The event, Frary said, is another in a series of visits around the state as part of his campaign. He has visited Fort Kent, Fryeburg, Lincoln and Madawaska, among other places within the 2nd Congressional District.

With his hat and cane and droll delivery, Frary is an academic with a wry demeanor, much amused at politics but also, he said, seriously interested in improving people’s regard for the political process.

“One of my principal reasons for running for Congress is curiosity. Most voters claim they are sick of being fed hokum, bogus sentiments and deceptive promises by politicians,” he said in a statement. “The campaign I have in mind should enable me to get some idea of how many are lying; how many really derive a certain comfort and reassurance by being routinely hornswoggled.”

Frary said his candidacy is about lowering taxes and curbing federal spending. He also would love to see an oil refinery built at the former Loring Air Force base. With its wastewater treatment facilities and water supply, it could be a great place for one, he said.

A pipeline connecting the refinery to Searsport would be relatively inexpensive and provide many financial benefits to the region, he said.

Frary also said he would vote to support President Bush’s $700 billion economic bailout plan, despite considerable reservations.

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