U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced her support of Paula Benoit in the special election for state Senate District 19.
“Paula has been a tremendous leader in the community,” Collins said in a statement released Thursday by the Benoit campaign. “For more than 30 years, Paula owned and operated successful small businesses in Bath. She understands the challenges small businesses face every day and the value of hard work.
“Paula doesn’t just talk about job creation; she actually has a proven track record of creating jobs.”
“I am honored to have Senator Collins’ support for my campaign,” said Benoit, a Phippsburg Republican who held the seat from 2006 to 2008. “Senator Collins has been a champion not only for our state, but also for our local community. She is a tireless advocate for Bath Iron Works and the small businesses community. I admire her work in the United States Senate and hope to take her examples of problem solving, hard work and independent approach to Augusta.”
Benoit faces Eloise Vitelli, an Arrowsic Democrat; and Daniel Stromgren, a Green Independent from Topsham, Aug. 27 in a special election for Senate District 19 .
Collins’s announcement is the highest-profile endorsement yet in the truncated campaign. Vitelli unveiled endorsements from unions representing state workers and teachers last week. Two public candidate forums have been slated:
— Enterprise Grange No. 48 will host a forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond.
— The Times Record and WCME Radio 9 will host a forum at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at the Topsham Municipal Building, 100 Main St.
bmentzinger@timesrecord.com
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less