AUGUSTA, Maine -- Aroostook County redevelopment executive Brian Hamel, whose sights are on Maine's 2nd Congressional District seat, touted his record for creating jobs as he introduced himself to Republican delegates at their state convention Friday.
"I think Mainers are ready for a congressman who brings a proactive agenda to Washington," Hamel said in his address at the Augusta Civic Center. "A congressman who will work tirelessly to reverse the job losses in the Second District." Hamel, of Presque Isle, hopes to defeat first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud in November. Like the Republicans' 1st District candidate Charles Summers, Hamel has no primary challenger...
...The 2nd District comprises most of Maine, except for a southern and coastal swath that includes Portland and Augusta. The 2nd District includes Limestone, home of the former Loring Air Force Base, a former bomber base whose closing in 1994 hit like an economic bomb shell...
Hamel gained a measure of prominence as president of the Loring Development Authority, which helped to transform Loring into a business center. Hamel said it has restored more than 1,000 jobs in the hard-hit region.
"We now have 20 thriving organizations at Loring -- more civilian workers employed today than prior to the closure," said Hamel, adding that Aroostook's population has reversed a steady decline.