The June primary may be six months away, but some folks who are thinking about running for political office are registering their interest.
And it won’t be long before a slew of candidates seeking the nod from their party – whether they’re in the running for state or county offices – will be registering with the Secretary of State’s Office Bureau of Elections and the Maine Ethics Commission.
County Commissioner Gary Sinden, who represents the towns of Wells, Ogunquit, Eliot, Kittery and York, called County Commission District 5, said he intends to seek the Democratic nod for House District 2 in the June primary. He said he will serve the last year of his four year commissioners term, which ends Dec. 31, but wanted folks to know the seat will be up for grabs this election season.
“I am making this announcement so that anyone interested in running for my Commissioner’s seat can plan to do so,” he said in a statement. “I have found serving on this board to be a very rewarding experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in public service.”
According to Maine Secretary of State’s Office spokeswoman Kristen Muszynski, nomination papers for county and state offices were available Dec. 29. Those running for the House of Representatives need a minimum of 25 signatures of registered voters in the district they’re running in and a maximum of 40. Those running for state senator need a minimum of 100 and a maximum of 150. Those in the running for county commission need a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 75, while those running for other county offices need a minimum of 150 signatures and a maximum of 200, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Some in the running have registered with the Maine Ethics Commission. They include incumbents Republican Sen. Ronald Collins of Wells, who represents Senate District 34; Republican Rep. Don Marean of Hollis, who represents House District 16; Republican Rep. Wayne Parry of Arundel, who represents House District 10; Republican Rep. Dwayne Prescott of Waterboro, who represents House District 17; and Republican Rep. Stedman Seavey of Kennebunkport, who represents House District 9. As well, County Commissioner Michael Cote of Shapleigh, an unenrolled candidate who represents Alfred, Lyman, Sanford, Shapleigh and Waterboro in District 4, has registered with the ethics commission.
According to Emma Burke of the ethics commission, candidates who become financially active must appoint a treasurer within 10 days of doing so and then register with the ethics commission within 10 days of the appointment.
“Additionally, Maine Clean Election Act candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent form, which is typically part of the registration process, within five business days of beginning to collect qualifying contributions for those qualifying contributions to be valid,” said Burke.
All state senate and house offices, which are two-year terms, are up for grabs this coming election season. As well as two county commissioner seats, candidates will vie for the county offices of Judge of Probate and Register of Probate County; those terms are four years.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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