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

Rep. David Johnson, R-Eddington, a one-term lawmaker seeking reelection on Tuesday, issued a statement today urging voters to reject same-sex marriage at the ballot box.

In the press release from Protect Marriage Maine, Johnson is quoted as saying his gay brother recently died of cancer and that he still maintains contact with his brother's partner of 25 years.

"I miss my brother and stay in contact with his partner because I love them both and know many other gay couples and love them dearly as well," he said in the statement. "The fact remains that God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman, and we have no right to redefine marriage."

Johnson's public stand is interesting for a couple of reasons. Many local legislative candidates have shied away from expressing any opinion on Question 1, particularly those who are opposed to it. But Johnson defeated Democrat Ben Pratt two years ago after Pratt was targeted for his support of the 2009 gay-marriage law.

In 2009, voters in that district voted heavily in opposition to same-sex marriage.

Pratt is running against Johnson this year in an attempt to get the seat back. That race, and all House and Senate seats, will be decided on Tuesday, along with the gay-marriage question.

On a totally separate subject, Open Season readers should note that the blog will be moving to the home pages of our websites on Tuesday -- Election Day -- where it will be updated regularly throughout the day and night.

About the Author

Subscribe to the
Open Season RSS

Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

Subscribe to the
Open Season RSS

Previous entries