AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Democratic House members have voted in favor of retaining current leaders to develop a new strategy at the State House, where the political climate has changed significantly.
Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves, of North Berwick, faced no opposition in his bid for re-election to a second term as presiding officer. But the 79-member House Democratic majority had a choice when their members considered their options for majority leader.
Although Rep. Mark Dion, of Portland, withdrew his bid for the job, Rep. Jeff McCabe of Skowhegan was challenged by veteran lawmaker Rep. Barry Hobbins, of Saco. McCabe, the outgoing assistant majority leader, said he would encourage all members to participate in a collaborative discussion of Democratic policies and welcome reasonable dissent. And he would also reach out to Republicans.
"But beyond just our caucus, I am also committed to working with our Republican colleagues in the House and in the Senate, and I'm willing to work with Gov. LePage," McCabe said. "It is essential fo us as elected officials to move beyond the party labels and work together to build a better future for the people of this great state."
McCabe said the reelection of LePage, the Democrats' loss of control in the Senate and Republican Senate members choosing a fairly conservative leadership team reflects a new dynamic at the State House and a message from the voters.
"One of my major takeaways is that the voters of Maine have spoken, they want us to work together, they want us to move past the pettiness of politics and bickering and foolishness that has come to characterize local, state and national politics," McCabe said. "They are tired of gridlock and one-upmanship between the parties."
Rep. Barry Hobbins said that is exactly why he would be a good alternative to McCabe. Hobbins has one of the best working relationships with Gov. LePage of any Democratic member of the Legislature. He said LePage values respect and that, as Democratic leader, he would respect the governor's office.
"I will not disrespect this governor, or ridicule him or mock him or lampoon him - it serves no purpose," Hobbins said. "In fact, it probably encourages him to dig in his heels even more, which we do not need here in Maine."
Rep. Thomas Longstaff, a Waterville Democrat, supported Hobbins and said he thought his seatmates missed an opportunity to elect Hobbins as leader, given that LePage has already signaled his desire to work with someone in the House other than Speaker Mark Eves.
"The governor doesn't always talk with all of us very conveniently or easily, but Barry often had access to the governor," Longstaff said. "He could not only talk to him, but he could confront him."
Democrats also elected Rep. Sara Gideon, of Freeport, as assistant leader.
