Lawmaker's party switch gives Greens a seat in the Maine House
Lawmaker’s party switch gives Greens a seat in the Maine House
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff • September 22, 2017 1:52 pm
A Maine House of Representatives Democrat who quit the party earlier this year has announced that he has enrolled in the Maine Green Independent Party.
That makes Rep. Ralph Chapman of Brooksville the second Green Independent to serve in the Legislature’s history. The only other was former Rep. John Eder of Portland, who was elected in 2002 and served two terms before losing a re-election bid in 2006 ...
“The Maine Green Independent Party offers an alternative” because it doesn’t accept corporate donations, said Chapman, who is in his fourth term and will be prevented by term limits from seeking re-election. “In essence, the Maine Green Independent Party is demonstrating, by its actions, how to behave as though the Citizens’ United Supreme Court decision were overturned.” ...
Jon Olson of Jefferson, who co-chairs the Green Independent Party, welcomed Chapman in a written statement. He referred to the State House as a “toxic political environment.”
“We hope that other legislators of either major party will consider following his lead and that new aspiring candidates will do so as well,” said Olson ...
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