Rep. Darlene Curley, a Republican from Scarborough, has made it official – she’s running for Congress against five-term incumbent Tom Allen.
Introduced as the best candidate positioned to be “the first Congress woman from the First District,” Curley promised a bipartisan approach to problems if she is elected to serve.
“I will put people before partisan politics,” she said, adding she was appalled at the political “blame game” that went on after Hurricane Katrina.
“There were babies going without food,” she said, and “the Republicans were blaming the Democrats and the Democrats were blaming the Republicans.”
“There’s plenty of blame to go around,” in Washington, Curley said, but “reaching across the aisle” is the way to get things done. “Senators Snowe and Collins have done it,” she said, but the members of Congress have not.
Curley said her priorities included support for small business, affordable health care, an excellent education system and energy independence.
The registered nurse, teacher and former owner of a home healthcare service said she had the experience to make good on her promises.
Asked about her position on abortion, Curley said she doesn’t like labels, but as a nurse she knows “life is the most important thing to protect. But I also support abortion rights.”
In her second term in the Maine House of Representatives, Curley has moved up quickly in the Republican ranks. She was named to the influential Appropriations Committee after just one term. She was flanked by Republican legislators during her announcement at the Statehouse last Thursday.
Curley had floated a possible run for governor, but was encouraged by her fellow party members to run against Allen.
Allen welcomes opponents in the race and looks forward to a spirited discussion of the issues in the campaign ahead, but for now is focused on his congressional work, said spokesman Mark Sullivan, according to the Associated Press.
Allen easily won re-election in his last race.
Allen serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Budget Committee.
The First District covers York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox Counties, and part of Kennebec County.
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