Westbrook mayoral candidate James Tranchemontagne will officially kick off his campaign for the November election on Monday, July 25, with a rally at his restuarant, the Frog & Turtle, 3 Bridge St.

Tranchemontagne said the event, from 6-8 p.m., will feature a short speech describing his platform followed by an opportunity for a “question and answer” with the public.

So far, he is the only candidate to announce a campaign for mayor. Colleen Hilton, who is serving the final year of her third term, remains undecided on whether she will seek re-election. Tranchemontagne and Republican candidate Ernest Porell lost to Hilton, a Democrat, in 2013.

The Westbrook Democratic Committee has not yet scheduled its caucus, which is normally held in late August. Hilton said Tuesday that she is planning to make a decision by sometime in August.

No Republican candidate has emerged, with the city’s Republican Committee also not caucusing until August. However, the committee may choose to support Tranchemontagne.

As an independent candidate, he’ll also be using the event Monday to collect the necessary signatures in order to appear on the ballot.

A promotion for the rally calls Tranchemontagne “an independent candidate with a pro-business vision to unite Westbrook.”

Tranchemontagne has been consistently critical of Hilton and others in her administration. Just last week, he launched a heated criticism toward the mayor and City Council for hiring Bill Baker, the former assistant city administrator, as economic development consultant.

James Tranchemontagne

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