BATH — Bath resident Christopher Hallowell will be running for the now-vacant House District 52 seat as a libertarian in the upcoming April special election.
Former Rep. Jennifer DeChant resigned her seat abruptly Feb. 1 in order to take a job in the private sector after winning her fourth consecutive term to the Maine House of Representatives. DeChant’s sudden departure has opened up a scramble to fill the House District 52 seat, with a special election called for April 2. House District 52 represents all of Bath.
Hallowell is the fourth candidate to announce a campaign for the open seat, joining Republican Kenneth Sener and City Councilors Sean Paulhus and Mari Eosco, who are both running as Democrats.
Though born and raised in Bath, Hallowell graduated from Greenville High School. He now lives in Bath, where he is self-employed and does odd jobs. The 23-year-old has been active in the Libertarian Party of Maine and currently acts as an adviser to the party’s executive committee, though he has not held public office.
Hallowell said he wasn’t planning to run for office, but DeChant’s sudden resignation prompted him to enter the race.
“The opportunity was here, and you know 54 percent of Americans say that it’s time for a third party candidate,” said Hallowell. “I’m not sure if Bath feels the same way or not, but I hope to be that candidate for them.”
According to a press release, Hallowell was nominated to run last Saturday during an executive committee meeting of the Libertarian Party of Maine. Hallowell has previously served as the executive committee secretary for the party.
According to a press release from the Libertarian Party of Maine, Hallowell will show up as a Libertarian on the ballot, despite the party losing official status last year.
It does not appear that the state’s other third party, the Maine Green Independent Party, will be entering the fray. According to party Co-Chairman Jon Olsen, it is unlikely that the Green Independents will have a nominee on the ballot.
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