YORK At a gubernatorial forum Monday night, candidates for the states highest office painted a picture of two very different Maines: One of rural, blue collar populations feeling left behind and without opportunity, and another of coastline vistas unlike anywhere else in the country and a way of life that out-of-staters want.
This identity crisis, and other critical issues, currently sit at the center of the race for governor.
During the question-and-answer session driven largely by York County high school students, the candidates, minus Republican Shawn Moody, addressed a deteriorating workforce, the opioid crisis, gun violence and increasing polarization in politics. Moody declined the invitation to participate in Mondays forum, where fellow candidates Alan Caron, Terry Hayes and Janet Mills spoke to an audience at York High School.
The forum was organized by Seacoast Media Group in cooperation with the York School Department. York Weekly reporter Deborah McDermott moderated the event.
Caron, an Independent and small business owner, introduced himself as a Central Maine native who grew up around mill workers and farmers, folks who have been left behind, and who I have spent most of my life trying to help. He said he intends to build a new and sustainable economy for Maine from the ground up.
Hayes, also an Independent, said she is the only Clean Elections candidate, calling herself a collaborative and experienced leader. She currently serves as state treasurer, the first Independent to be elected by the Legislature to that position. Hayes said Maines next governor needs to be someone who will avoid the gridlock that partisanship has created in Augusta.
Mills, a Democrat, is currently the states attorney general, and the first female one in Maine. She opened by sharing shes mad as hell after last weeks Supreme Court nominee hearing and the
