CARIBOU, Maine — At a caucus held Wednesday, area Republicans selected A.J. Edgecomb of Fort Fairfield as the candidate for the newly redistricted House District 148 seat. Edgecomb’s grandfather, the Honorable Peter Edgecomb of Caribou, is also running for a seat at the State House. The elder Edgecomb is the candidate for Senate District 1.
The reason for the special caucus was due to the fact that Republican incumbent Tyler Clark of Easton recently decided he wouldn’t seek re-election, after the three-time state representative had won the nomination in an uncontested June 10 primary. This meant the Republican party needed a newly elected candidate to run for the House seat in the newly-apportioned District 148 against Alan D. Whittemore (D-Limestone) and Gregory Alan Ward (U-Limestone).
The 126th Legislature, in the first regular session, passed Chapter 270 of the Public Laws of 2013, establishing the apportionment of the Maine Senate, Maine House of Representatives and County Commissioner Districts. This public law was signed by Gov. LePage on June 14, 2013, and will be in effect for candidates and voters participating in the June 10, 2014 Primary Election and November 4, 2014 General Election.
The redistricting process is not necessarily something new to state government. According to Deputy Secretary of State, Julie Flynn, this is a process that occurs every 10 years — meaning this time around the districts were determined based on the 2010 census. These newly formed districts will remain intact from 2011-2021.
The Maine Constitution, in Article IV, Part First and Part Second, provides for the reapportionment of State Representative and State Senate Districts, respectively, in 2013 and 2021 and every 10th year thereafter. The size of the districts is determined by dividing the number of Senators and Representatives into the number of inhabitants of the state, exclusive of foreigners not naturalized, according to the latest Federal Decennial Census, to determine a mean population figure for each Senate and Representative District.
Article IV, Part Third, section 1-A of the Constitution provides that the Legislature shall establish an Apportionment Commission within the first three calendar days after the convening of the Legislature in which apportionment is required. This Commission must develop, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution, a plan for apportioning the House of Representatives, the Senate, or both. The apportionment plan of the Commission established under this section must be submitted to the Secretary of the Maine Senate (for the Senate apportionment) or the Clerk of the Maine House of Representatives (for the House apportionment) no later than June 1st of the year in which apportionment is required. The Legislature shall enact the submitted plan of the commission or a plan of its own by a vote of two thirds of the members of each House, by June 11th of the year in which apportionment is required.
“Sometimes the process may just mean a change in district numbering,” said Flynn. “Now, southern parts of Maine are at the bottom, meaning Kittery would now be District 1. For the Senate the numbers go in the opposite direction, meaning Kittery would be number 151. 10 years ago it was simply switched around, so often it’s meant to help voters realize that something has changed.”
When asked how the newly-apportioned districts may affect the election process, Flynn said it would not have much of an effect on the actual voting process, but it may affect who is going to run for office.
“Unfortunately, voters don’t always know what their district is, so all the changes can be confusing,” said Flynn. “Every 10 years the population shifts due to people moving, or any other circumstance, so it is a necessary process.”
The newly established Republican candidate A.J. Edgecomb spoke of how his grandfather has influenced him, saying “For my entire life I have watched my grandfather work hard on behalf of our friends and neighbors in Aroostook County. The prospect of joining him at the State House is exciting.”
Peter Edgecomb served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives before leaving office due to term limits. He is eager for his grandson to follow in his footsteps.
“I am thrilled that A.J. has chosen to enter public service. We’ve spoken about how it is hard work, but he is looking forward to putting in the necessary effort to make a difference for Maine people,” said Peter. “I’m confident he will be able to do so.”
As a former school superintendent and dedicated community volunteer, Peter is well-acquainted with both the rigors and rewards of public service even beyond legislative service. His grandson has inherited Peter’s motivation for making a difference, as well his appreciation for life in Aroostook County.
“Young people face challenges daily in Maine – finding jobs, trying to start families. We watch as our friends and family members move away because they can’t find work. I want to reverse that trend,” said A.J. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to stay in Maine near my family, and want to see others have that opportunity.”
The newly-apportioned House District 148 for which A.J. Edgecomb, Alan D. Whittemore (D-Limestone) and Gregory Alan Ward (U-Limestone) are running consists of: Caswell, Connor Township, Cyr Plantation, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Hamlin, Limestone, Stockholm, and part of Presque Isle.
The newly-apportioned Senate District 1 for which the elder Edgecomb is running consists of: Allagash, Ashland, Caribou, Castle Hill, Caswell, Connor Township, Cyr Plantation, Eagle Lake, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Garfield Plantation, Grand Isle, Hamlin, Limestone, Madawaska, Mapleton, Masardis, Nashville Plantation, New Canada, New Sweden, Northwest Aroostook Unorganized Territory, Oxbow Plantation, Perham, Portage Lake, Square Lake Unorganized Territory, St. Agatha, St. Francis, St. John Plantation, Stockholm, Van Buren, Wade, Wallagrass, Washburn, Westmanland, Winterville Plantation, and Woodland. Edgecomb will be running against Democratic nominee Charles Theriault.
