Several challengers are looking to unseat incumbent Democrats in state elections next Tuesday.
One of the most significant races is for the seat representing the 66th district in the Maine State Legislature. This district includes approximately 300 Bowdoin students, including those living in Burnett House, Howell House, Helmreich House and Stowe Inn. The incumbent is State Representative Alex Cornell du Houx '06.
Facing Cornell du Houx is Republican Jonathan Crimmins and Green Independent Fred Horch. This is Crimmins' second attempt to win the 66th district seat. Crimmins says that the most important issues to him are affordable health care, job creation and balancing the state budget.
Fred Horch hopes to be the Maine State Legislature's first Green Independent representative. In 2006, Horch founded F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies, which is located at 56 Maine Street. Issues most important to Horch include the redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, education funding and clean energy.
While at Bowdoin, Cornell du Houx served as president of the Bowdoin College Democrats. He majored in Government and Legal Studies and was named a Mitchell Scholar.
In December 2005, Cornell du Houx left his classmates for a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq. Today, he serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity and also coaches soccer and lacrosse at Brunswick Junior High School. During his last term, Cornell du Houx was chair of the Veterans' Caucus, vice-chair of the National Council of State Legislatures' Energy and Agriculture Committee, and is a member of the Criminal Justice Committee and the Legal and Veteran's Affairs Commitee.
"Alex's race is important because he sets a great example of how Bowdoin students can find meaningful ways to serve the Common Good through politics," said Bowdoin College Democrats Co-President Katy Shaw. "Too often we see politicians through a negative lens but Alex's tenure in Augusta demonstrates a true commitment to what is best for Brunswick residents and Bowdoin students."
In the Maine Senate election for District 10 (which includes Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell and Pownal), Republican Scott Thomas looks to upseat incumbent Stan Gerzofsky. According to his website, Thomas seeks the District 10 seat because "it is time to do something positive to change the old ways of spending more than we have, and stifling economic growth."
The statement continues, "I decided that I want to be part of the solution, helping to put Mainers back to work, to attract and keep jobs and qualified workers in Maine."
Gerzofsky, a Democrat, is an experienced Maine politician. Before serving as senator for District 10, Gerzofsky served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives, beginning in 2000. Gerzofsky served as chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and was also a member of the Judiciary Committee, Joint Committee on Joint Rules, and the House Committee on Elections.