FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 28, 2010
CONTACT: TED O’MEARA
207.699.4401
ted@cutler2010.com
PORTLAND, Maine – Two leading Democratic lawmakers, State Senator Dennis Damon of Trenton and State Representative Leila J. Percy of Phippsburg, today announced their support for Independent Eliot Cutler in this year’s race for governor.
“I am supporting Eliot Cutler for one simple reason: He is the most qualified person to lead Maine in the challenging days ahead,” said Damon. “I am impressed with his experience in business and government and his love for our state. Most of all, I have confidence in his bold ideas to get Maine’s economy moving again — lowering our costs and investing in our competitive advantages. As a former coach, I can tell you that Team Maine needs a new kind of leader. We need change and reform, and Eliot will deliver.”
Senator Damon was elected to the Maine Senate in 2002 and is currently serving his fourth term. One of the most highly respected legislators in Augusta, he has served as the Senate Chair of the Marine Resources Committee for four terms and Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee for three terms. A fourth-generation commercial fisherman and former teacher, Damon has made Maine’s economic future his central focus in the Legislature. During his tenure, he shepherded to passage historic legislation to meet Maine’s transportation needs, to preserve working waterfronts and to enact marriage equality.
“I am pleased to join Senator Damon in supporting Eliot Cutler for governor,” said Percy. “Fear, frustration and old answers are blinding us to the greatness that ought to be part of our shared vision for Maine’s future. His leadership is grounded in common sense and focused on Maine’s strengths – our people and our natural resources.
“Eliot will be an effective governor, working with legislators in both parties to rally us all around common goals and creative ideas,” Percy added. “Both lawmakers and citizens want our next governor to be fair-minded and even-tempered. We need a leader who will chart our course without sacrificing the qualities that ensure Maine remains the productive, just and tolerant state we love.”
Representative Percy is a professional entertainer completing her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. She has served as House Chair of the Marine Resources Committee for the past three terms and also served on the Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Committee for one term. She authored legislation to address rising property taxes and has worked tirelessly to preserve Maine’s rural fishing and farming communities. In 2005 her leadership was instrumental in the successful passage of the Working Waterfront Constitutional amendment.
Both Percy and Damon said that they will remain Democrats and will continue working to elect fellow Democrats to the Legislature.
“I am honored to have the support of Senator Damon and Representative Percy, because they understand that the people of our state want their leaders to work together for Maine, regardless of party affiliation,” said Cutler. “Dennis and Leila are showing great political courage by supporting me, and many others are ready to join us in the center. My campaign is the biggest tent is this race. There is no ideological litmus test to join us. All we ask is that you love Maine and are committed to helping us create a new way forward for our state.”
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Sen. Damon 207-667-9629
Rep. Percy 207-449-6219