The founder of handyman business Rent-A-Husband was nominated Thursday as the Republican candidate for Maine’s Senate District 26.

Kaile Warren of Windham faced fraud charges in 2009 that were later dropped under a settlement agreement with investors. He, in turn, sued his investment adviser.

Warren was chosen as a candidate to replace Stuart “Toby” Pennels, who died Thursday morning from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident Aug. 3. The seat representing Windham and surrounding towns is currently held by Sen. Gary Plummer, R-Windham, who decided not to run for re-election.

Warren will face Democrat Bill Diamond, a former state senator who stepped down because of term limits in 2012.

Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn said Friday was the deadline for the Republican Party to name a replacement for Pennels, whose family withdrew his name from the race about three weeks ago.

Members of the Cumberland County Republican Committee from Senate District 26 chose Warren during a caucus Thursday night attended by about 10 people, Plummer said. “I think Kaile is very excited about doing it and I think he’ll work hard,” he said.

Warren said Friday he’d received calls of encouragement and offers to help all day long. He said he was putting together a campaign team and working on his platform.

“I will be very much pro-business and very much a protector of Maine citizens’ and Maine businesses’ rights,” he said.

Warren, 55, founded Rent-A-Husband in 1996 and gained national media attention for his franchise concept, including multiple appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and a contract to appear regularly on CBS’ “The Early Show.”

Warren was indicted on charges of securities fraud and theft by deception in 2009, after investors in the home repair business alleged they were deceived by him about the value and performance of Rent-A-Husband.

In exchange for dismissal of the charges, Warren agreed to pay about $2 million to reimburse investors and to seek civil damages against Preti Flaherty, the Portland law firm that he said guided him through the process of seeking and obtaining investments.

Warren filed a lawsuit against Preti Flaherty, as well as Ace Hardware Corp., which collaborated with Rent-A-Husband on a business venture that fell apart in 2008, and Ace’s Portland law firm Marcus, Clegg & Mistretta. That case was settled earlier this year, although terms were not disclosed.

“My case was a classic example of how government wrongfully attacks and cannibalizes its citizens and businesses,” Warren said Friday.

He thinks it could be a boon to his campaign.

“I can relate to people; I’ve been there,” he said.

Warren served on the Windham Town Council from June 2007 to December 2008, when he resigned due to health problems. In 2011, he applied to fill a seat on the Windham Town Council left vacant by the death of Peter Busque, but later withdrew his name.

Warren, who is now working in real estate development, said it was the right time in his life to return to politics.

Plummer said that after a particularly difficult session, he decided his time in the Legislature was up and wanted to focus on his personal life.

Plummer served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives before being elected to the Senate seat in 2012, replacing Diamond.

The Republican Party initially nominated David Call to run for Plummer’s seat, but he withdrew from the race after the primary in June.

Pennels, a former Army colonel and Windham school board member who had recently moved to Casco, was named the new candidate in late July, just before his accident.

Pennels, 55, suffered severe chest and shoulder injuries after losing control of his motorcycle and getting hit by a pickup truck on Route 4 near Rangeley.

Warren said a moment of silence was held for Pennels at the start of the caucus Thursday.

Leslie Bridgers can be contacted at 791-6364 or at:

lbridgers@pressherald.com

Twitter: lesliebridgers

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