A week before Election Day, Republican Jason Levesque is working to shore up support among a key group of supporters for Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud: veterans.

Levesque held a news conference Monday in Bangor to announce the formation of a “Veterans for Levesque” coalition that he said numbered more than 100.

About 30 veterans attended the news conference, Levesque said.

Levesque served in the Army for eight years – three years on active duty and five years in the reserves. In announcing the coalition, he said the group of veterans “wanted to show support and voice to get me elected.”

Michaud, 55, a former mill worker from East Millinocket, is seeking his fifth two-year term. Levesque, 36, is a businessman from Auburn who owns the Argo Marketing Group.

A key issue for veterans – especially young ones – is jobs, Levesque said. “We have young veterans coming back from active duty right now and there are no jobs for them or for their families,” said Levesque, who proposes incentives for employers to hire veterans.

Michaud, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, often talks about veterans’ issues. His first TV ad featured veterans speaking about Michaud’s pushes for new medical access points for veterans in Bangor, Houlton, Lewiston and Lincoln.

“Perhaps more than any other issue, Mike Michaud has a long and accomplished record of delivering for Maine’s veterans,” Peter Chandler, spokesman for the Michaud campaign, said Monday. “He was proud to receive the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Political Action Committee in this campaign and has won several national awards for his leadership on issues important to our veterans.”

Levesque said, “I can’t take (Michaud’s) work away from him, nor would I try to.”

“But the fact is, more needs to be done,” he said. “The struggles veterans have are the same struggles Mainers have. They can be considered the catalyst for growth – a strong work ethic, skills, training, and they work well with others.”

 

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