Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

February 26

Column should have called Steve Rowe frontrunner in race

— With all due respect to William K. McKinley, who in a recent opinion piece put his favorite candidate at the head of the pack in the Democratic gubernatorial race (''Columnist's evaluation unfair to one candidate,'' Dec. 16), I must point out that Steve Rowe is by any measure the frontrunner, and the candidate who is best qualified for the job.

It's still early in the campaign, and Rowe has already been to nearly every city and town in Maine, earning the support of voters through personal interaction.

His down-to-earth campaign strategy is putting a strain on his old Honda, which will soon hit 250,000 miles. If the Honda falters in the coming months, the '94 pickup still has a little life.

Rowe's record of public service and his accomplishments in private business give him the background and insight needed to lead Maine out of these unsteady times.

In eight years as Maine's Attorney General, Rowe had the opportunity to argue and win a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, which led to cleaner water for Maine. He also fought the Bush EPA. over its failure to enforce clean air regulations.

As speaker of the House of Representatives, Rowe earned the respect of legislators from both sides of the aisle by shunning backroom deals and holding to his principle of standing up for the least fortunate in our society.

An introvert by nature, you'll never see Rowe pursue a TV news crew or overstate his role in this or that success. You don't get to boast just because you've done your job, he would tell you, and he demands that same measure of integrity and strong work ethic from those around him.

No matter the task -- whether in public or private life -- Rowe is the last one at the table, or the last one holding a hammer. That work ethic will carry the day in this campaign.