BRUNSWICK — Nearly two months after becoming the subject of a temporary protection from abuse order and amid pressure from party leaders to drop a re-election bid, House District 66 Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx announced that he will not seek re-election.
In a letter sent to The Times Record today, Cornell du Houx wrote that his decision to take on an active duty role in the U.S. Navy will preclude him from running from a third term.
Cornell du Houx wrote that the decision is partly a career move — “I am 29, and realistically it is a challenge to find a career option that works with the legislative schedule” — but also acknowledged that political pressure following the request for a protection order filed against him by Belfast Rep. Erin Herbig played a role in the decision.
In an interview last week with the Portland Press Herald, Ben Grant, chairman of Maine’s Democratic Party, urged Cornell du Houx to resign.
“What we do know are the political facts,” Grant said, “and we do know what a distraction is when it comes to an electoral season.”
In a letter to constituents dated June 15 and in a press release responding to Grant’s comments, Cornell du Houx blasted Grant for using a public forum to urge him to drop his re-election bid and for rekindling controversy about Herbig’s request for the protection order.
“When Maine Democratic Party chairman Ben Grant revisited a private issue that was made public last May, his unnecessary comments reignited false accusations even though I was cleared by the police,” Cornell du Houx wrote in Friday’s letter to The Times Record. “Unfortunately, his unprofessional commentary will impact my re-election.”
The request for that protection order was ultimately dropped after a settlement between Herbig and Cornell du Houx.
In his letter announcing his resignation, Cornell du Houx wrote that he will accept an active duty assignment with the Navy Reserve on Jan. 8, 2013.
"I had requested an active duty date that did not coincide with the legislative session, but no slots were available, so I was assigned to Jan. 8," he wrote. "I could go through the process and request another date. However, the events of late have given me time to consider the best way to continue in public service while I move forward with my future. I have chosen to take this opportunity to serve my community, state and nation by progressing my career in the Navy."
He concludes the letter with "It has truly been an honor to serve you. I hope you will give me another opportunity to represent you in Augusta in the future.."
In a letter sent Friday to The Times Record, Andy Cashman, chairman of the Brunswick Democratic Town Committee, outlined the process for replacing Cornell du Houx.
"By law, the Brunswick Democratic Town Committee must hold a special meeting to select a replacement Democratic candidate for the November ballot," Cashman wrote. "Before we may do so, the secretary of state must first declare the vacancy, after which we must hold our meeting to select a new candidate prior to July 23. We will hold this meeting as soon as possible upon receipt of the formal vacancy notification from the secretary of state."
While attendance will to that meetingbe open, only residents of District 66 who are a part of the 34-member town committee will take part in the voting to elect a replacement candidate.
Nominations for the position will be open, and Cashman said that anyone interested in running for endorsement of the Democratic Party should contact [email protected] or by phone at 518-8369.
On Thursday, one of Cornell du Houx’s 2010 electoral challengers — K. Frederick Horch — announced his intention to seek the Green Independent Party’s nomination in a caucus on July 8.
Republican John Bouchard is slated to represent his party on the November ballot for House District 66.
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Clarification: A protection from abuse order against Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx was requested by Rep. Erin Herbig and a temporary protection from abuse order was granted. Temporary orders are often granted as a precaution until a trial or other resolution is reached. Herbig and Cornell du Houx reached a settlement and the request for a protection from abuse order was withdrawn before the matter went to court.
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