“It is truly an honor to be considered as a contender for the race for Maine’s governor,” he said in the email. “The governor’s race is a long way off, and I think we all need a break from this endless campaign cycle.”
Eves said he’s focusing on his family and his work at Woodfords Family Services, helping children and individuals with disabilities in communities across the state. He was appointed executive director of the non-profit in October.
If he chooses to make a bid for the Democratic primary for governor, he could face a crowded field. Several names have been mentioned as possibilities, including Attorney General Janet Mills, Springvale attorney Adam Cote and several others. Cote earlier this week said he is strongly considering a Blaine House run.
Eves and his wife Laura have three children. He holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.
According to the biography he provided, during his tenure as Speaker, Eves said he focused on job creation, workforce development, and helping seniors live independently.
On a jobs tour, he visited nearly 30 businesses in nine counties focusing on manufacturing, the logging industry, and research and development.
“From the interaction with the business community, Speaker Eves successfully purposed the “Put ME to Work Program” which partnered businesses with the community college system to develop workforce training programs in traditional Maine economies like logging and manufacturing,” his biography states.
Eves, in partnership with Maine Council on Aging, launched the Speaker’s Roundtable on Aging to bring stakeholders together to lay out a plan for action. From this initiative 16 bills were passed, including an affordable housing bond.
Eves was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2008 and first elected Speaker in 2012.
As Speaker, his relationship with Republican Gov. Paul LePage was difficult, at best. The two clashed over a number of issues, both political and personal.
“We are all eager to move past the vicious politics that have unfortunately crept into our state,” Eves said in his emailed statement. “Mainers deserve a positive vision for our state and a champion for our economy and our people.”
Right now, if he hopes to be the one to provide that positive vision, Eves isn’t saying.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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