AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett has announced that he will not seek re-election next month when his term is up.
Bennett has been involved in Republican Party politics since he was a teenager, and although he will step down as party chairman next month, he says he will continue to be involved, and will push for policies that will help the state’s economy grow.
“I came in because I wanted to set things right and I think we have done that," Bennett says. "We’ve built a good platform for the future and professionalized the party.”
Bennett lost a bid for Maine's 2nd Congressional district seat in a close race in 1994, and lost a primary race for the U.S. Senate in 2012. The political rumor mill is already generating buzz about the open governor's seat in 2018.
Bennett says what the political future holds for him is anybody’s guess. The Republican State Committee meets Jan. 28 to elect a new chairman. Several people are rumored to be interested in the post.
