Republicans in the State House of Representatives—fresh off yet another disappointing election cycle—are poised to cast votes for leadership positions within the minority caucus for the 132nd Legislature.
Although former House Republican Leader Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) easily won his re-election fight on Tuesday, holding onto his leadership post may prove more challenging.
State House sources tell the Maine Wire that Rep. Mike Soboleski (R-Phillips) and former Assistant Republican House Leader Rep. Amy Arata (R-New Gloucester) are both jockeying for the top leadership position, while Rep. Katrina Smith (R-Palermo), Rep. David Boyer (R-Minot), and former Republican leader Rep. Ken Fredette (R-Newport) are in the running for assistant leader or whip.
Should Arata not succeed in her bid for the top job, she will pursue the Assistant Leader position along with Smith, Boyer, and Fredette.
The leadership elections will take place Friday morning at 9:00 AM at an undisclosed location near the State House.
Republicans nationally won the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives; however, Maine Republicans made only modest gains in both the House and the Senate.
Based on unofficial numbers from Decision Desk HQ, the Maine House appears to be headed toward a composition of 72 Republicans, two left-leaning independents, and 76 Democrats.
One seat in House District 141 initially appeared to go in favor of embattled Republican Rep. Lucas Lanigan, who was arrested days before the election on domestic violence charges; however, after the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) votes were counted, the race became a dead tie. Barring a recount that changes the vote totals, the race could head to a special election.
During the Friday morning meeting of the caucus, the candidates for leadership positions will each be nominated by a member of the caucus, who will speak briefly about their nominee, after which the nominee will speak.
When all the candidates are nominated, voting will occur in rounds, with the candidate who receives the fewest votes being excluded in each round until one candidate emerges as the victor.
Ironically, considering the Republican Party has historically opposed Ranked Choice Voting, the process for leadership elections bears a striking resemblance to Ranked Choice Voting.
As the House Republican Leader, the eventual winner will be responsible for shepherding the party through floor vote strategies, managing internal strife within the caucus, fundraising, and selecting staff members for the House GOP policy and communications teams.
Also ironically, considering the Democratic Party has historically supported Ranked Choice Voting, the Democratic leadership elections are held on a pure plurality basis, with the first round vote leader winning the position.
Several Democratic House members are said to be competing for leadership positions within the majority, including former House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Portland), Rep. Matt Moonen (D-Portland), Rep. Nina Milliken, former Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston), and Rep. Lydia Crafts (D-Bristol).
Why in a year when the top of the ticket won big did Maine Republicans do so poorly? Austin Theriault got roughly 20,000 fewer votes than Donald Trump in the Second District? Why? He was a great candidate with plenty of money. He worked hard and ran a good campaign. Republican policies give people a higher standard of living and more freedom they should be winning hands down. Election after election we lose. To start with Republican Leadership interferes in party primaries, causing a lot of hate and discontent that hurts in November. They probably cost Theriault his election last spring. A lot of money is being wasted on salaries at Headquarters that should be spent letting people know no one is going to take away their Social Security. In short if we elect the same leadership again we’ll get the same results.
We like our weed too much.
Republican leadership is an oxymoron. With few exceptions, Laurel Libby for one, they’re feckless and weak. It doesn’t help either that the Dems are borderline commies supported by all the Leftists who have moved into our state over the past few decades. “As Maine goes, so goes the nation” is no longer a valid slogan if it ever was.
Where is the vision?