Governor Paul LePage and wife, Ann, will address Lincoln County Republicans at the Lincoln County Caucus which will be held on Feb. 17 at the Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta. Under Governor LePage’s strong leadership, Mainers have benefited from fiscal responsibility and an improved business climate. With a clear set of priorities on job creation, lowering taxes, and welfare reform, LePage has stood strong to put Maine people first.

Republicans will choose the next governor from a very strong primary field. Attendees will hear from five candidates, all experienced leaders, with varied backgrounds and strong Republican values. With the primary set for June 6, they are vying for the right to represent the party in the general election and continue the strong legacy of Governor Paul LePage’s administration. Candidates for governor include:

Rep. Ken Fredette of Newport, first elected to the House in 2010 and currently serves as Republican Leader of the House. A practicing attorney, Fredette also serves as Lieutenant Colonel and Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the Maine Air National Guard in Bangor’s 101st Air Refueling Wing.

Sen. Garrett Mason of Lisbon currently serves as Senate Majority Leader while also working in his family’s excavation business. He is the first person in nearly half a century to serve back-to-back terms as Senate Majority Leader, and also holding the position of President Pro-Tempore, is the youngest person in Maine history to preside over a Senate session.

Mary Mayhew was appointed by LePage in 2011 to be the commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services and successfully ran the state’s largest agency for more than six years with 3,400 employees and budget of over $3.4 billion until stepping down in May 2017 to run for governor. A native of Pittsfield, Mayhew currently resides in China with her two sons.

Shawn Moody of Gorham was appointed to the board of the University of Maine System as well as the Maine Community College System by LePage. Moody is a successful businessman and founder of Moody’s Collision Center with 11 sites operating in the state.

Sen. Mike Thibodeau of Winterport, currently serves as Maine Senate President. A successful businessman himself, Thibodeau is owner of a heavy equipment dealer, and along with his wife, owns the only Maine company that manufactures and sells snow shovels.

Each of the candidates will be allowed to address the audience and at the conclusion, county Republicans will express their preference for governor in an informal straw poll. Other speakers include Mark Holbrook, running for Congress in the 1st District, Eric Brakey, candidate for Senate, as well as local candidates for offices in Lincoln County.

For more information, please contact Dick Mayer, chairman of the LCRC or email nrtclcrc@gmail.com.