REPUBLICANS REJECT OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER LOOPHOLE

Democratic lawmaker asks for legislation to deal with perceived conflict of interest

AUGUSTA—Democratic State Senator John Patrick requested an after deadline bill, “An Act to Protect the Integrity of the Voting Process” at today’s Legislative Council meeting. In a party line vote of 6 – 4 Republicans rejected the measure which sought to clarify the criteria for Constitutional Officers who are seeking elected office.

“With all three of Maine’s Constitutional Officers running for higher office, it seems especially timely to have clarity on this issue. It is understood that Constitutional Officers remain apolitical,” said Senator Patrick of Oxford who also serves on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. “And campaigning is all about politics.”

Patrick added that he was especially concerned about the consequences of Secretary of State Charlie Summers who is running for U.S. Senate. His wife is also running for State Senate.

“Seems like we at least have a perception problem. Charlie Summers is in charge of his petitions, his challengers’ petitions, his wife’s petitions and her challengers’ petitions,” said Patrick. “I think Maine people expect a higher level of integrity for the the election process.”

Patrick also expressed concern that without the Legislature clarifying this issue it would be challenging to know “when the line may be crossed”.

“I wonder how much of taxpayer money is going toward ‘Secretary of State Summers’ and how much of it is going toward ‘Candidate Summers’,” said Patrick.

Senator Patrick will be submitting a Joint Order to the Revisors’ Office authorizing the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee to report out a bill, “An Act to Ensure That the Responsibility of Constitutional Officers are Not Compromised When a Constitutional Officer is a Candidate for Office”. The Joint Order will likely appear on the Senate calendar early next week.