You could almost feel sorry for Rep. Michael Timmons: a first-term lawmaker from Cumberland who’s in a pickle after caving to Republican leadership.

Almost, but not quite. He’s a grown man responsible for his own choices.

Timmons and five other House Republicans – Rep. John Pichiotti of Fairfield, Timothy Theriault of China, Brian Hobart of Bowdoinham, MaryAnne Kinney of Knox and Kathleen Dillingham of Oxford – “took a walk” on L.D. 1649, the solar bill, when it mattered the most.

Timmons omitted that part in his self-serving account in Thursday’s Press Herald.

After initially voting to override the governor’s veto, he went missing on the second vote about an hour later. These members figured folks back home couldn’t get mad if they weren’t on the record casting a “No” vote. But dozens of solar advocates witnessed firsthand what they did.

Rank-and-file House Republicans must face extraordinary pressure when their conscience and common sense go against the will of their leadership and the governor. I’ve seen one in tears in such a situation.

Now, Timmons is lashing out at me.

It’s true. We had a second vote because I employed a strategy allowed under House rules, a well-established parliamentary action that dates back to the days of the Founding Fathers. It’s been used about a dozen times in this session alone.

If only Republican leadership had invested some time in educating their caucus on procedure, perhaps their members wouldn’t get their feelings so hurt when they don’t understand the rules.

I hope Timmons can let go of his misplaced anger and redirect that energy toward doing what’s right, even when he’s under pressure.

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