Mark Gendron, chairman of the Raymond Board of Selectmen, has recently dropped out of the District 103 state legislative race, and has been replaced by Lu Bauer of Standish.
District 103 covers Frye Island, part of Poland, Raymond and part of Standish.
Gendron said he dropped out because of time constraints with his current business, Lake Region Imports, Inc., and his involvement on the Board of Selectmen.
Without a time-consuming and stressful campaign on his schedule, Gendron said he has time to concentrate on town issues.
“We’re working on some things in Raymond that are really positive,” he said.
Lu Bauer, 60, a Certified Public Accountant, decided to run in Gendron’s place soon after he dropped out.
“It all worked out to make it possible for me to run. I’m looking forward to representing the district as a Democrat…I couldn’t see (John Robinson) go unopposed,” she said.
Bauer is the founder and chairperson of the Standish Democratic Committee and member of the State Democratic Committee. She was the state campaign coordinator for presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich in 2004 and a delegate at the Democratic convention, and one of four electors during the 2004 presidential election.
She received her bachelor’s degree in recreational education from Northeastern University, another bachelor’s in accounting and business from the University of Southern Maine, and her master’s degree in taxation from Bentley College.
Bauer has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1980, and said many of the issues she would like to see addressed concern taxes, her area of expertise.
“Taxes are a big issue. The local municipal budgets are coming under fire,” she said.
Although she understands there is frustration for citizens in the tax arena, Bauer said there shouldn’t be any radical approaches that would cause damage to the town governments like TABOR.
“I’d like to see an efficient system enacted but not a formula that doesn’t work. I understand that people are concerned, but radicalism isn’t helpful,” she said.
Bauer is looking forward to knowing more about her opponent, John Robinson, in addition to the issues that are important to residents in her district.
“I plan to meet all the people in the district door-to-door. I want to find out what’s happening in people’s lives… it seems the middle class is being squeezed and I want to hear from them… I don’t presume to know exactly what’s needed,” she said.
Incumbent John Robinson said he is excited that he is still running opposed, and is confident about his position.
“I’m looking forward to the race. I’m happy with my performance so far working with people on both sides of the isle and I think I’m a well-respected representative,” he said.
Bauer will face off with Robinson to represent District 103 this November. To find out more information on your state representative, go to www.janus.state.me.us/house/townlist.htm.
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