HOULTON, Maine — Citing a desire to restore trust and transparency in state government, former Maine Attorney General Michael Carpenter of Houlton announced his candidacy for the state Senate in the new District 2.
The district covers southern and central Aroostook County, including the communities of Presque Isle and Houlton, and several communities in northern Penobscot County, including Lee and Patten.
In his announcement, Carpenter cited two primary reasons for running: 1) restoring ethics and accountability in state government; and 2) standing up for Northern Maine’s economy and its communities.
“Our state cannot function if Mainers do not trust their government,” said Carpenter. “I served as Attorney General when Maine last had a Republican governor, and I was proud of the work we did together to promote transparency and accountability in government. I fear that the state has moved backwards in recent years, with the recent case of document shredding at the CDC as an example. We must restore transparency to move our state forward. I have shown I can work with people of good faith, regardless of their political philosophy.”
Carpenter, who won two Bronze Stars for his U.S. Army service in Vietnam, served as Maine’s Attorney General for four years. “During that time the political climate was not good but my office moved between the factions, including Governor McKernan and the legislative Democrats without major problems. The parties have to be able to work together for the good of the State.”
Prior to that, Carpenter served in the Maine House and Senate for 12 years, including two as Assistant Senate Majority Leader.
“If elected, I will put my experience to work immediately and stand up for Northern Maine communities,” said Carpenter. “We must maintain the revenue sharing promise we made to our towns, invest in quality jobs for Maine workers, and expand health care coverage to 70,000 Mainers (including 3,000 veterans).”
Carpenter continued, “Maine is at a crossroads, and citizens can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Northern Maine needs strong leadership in the Senate, and I believe I can.”
Carpenter is a lifelong Aroostook resident, is married to Joanne Carpenter and they have three children. In addition to his law practice, Carpenter and his family operate Carriages of Acadia, a national park concession managed by his daughter, Emily in Acadia National Park from May to October.
Carpenter is running as a Clean Elections candidate and will not accept outside money.
