GOP runs six candidates in Senate primary

STATE — Republican voters have plenty of choices to challenge the Democratic candidate and independent Angus King to become Maine's next U.S. Senator.

Former Maine Senate President Rick Bennett, Secretary of State Charlie Summers, State Senator Debra Plowman, Attorney General Bill Schneider, State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin and small business owner Scott D'Amboise are competing to run for Senate in the June 12 primary election.

Bennett, Plowman, Schneider and Summers had varied views on the economy, health care and the political atmosphere in Washington.

All four candidates said they would vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act – sometimes referred to as "Obamacare"– if they are elected.

They also agreed that the country needed to focus on curbing government spending and the size of the national debt.

The candidates differed on other issues, including how to encourage economic growth in rural Maine and how they would deal with partisan Washington politics.

Bennett, an Oxford resident, served in the state house for 14 years, eventually becoming Senate President. He is the CEO of GMI Ratings, a Portland-based rating analysis firm.

He says that he entered the Senate race because he thinks that people are "disgusted" with the "hyper-partisan circus," they see in Washington.

Bennett says the government has been "stepping on job creators," and the biggest obstacle to economic growth is an unpredictable regulatory environment.

Summers – who calls himself a fiscal conservative – is a small business owner, served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy reserve and is involved in veterans affairs. He has worked for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as a State Senator.

He believes that politics in Washington is reflective of U.S. society and says it is important to build relationships and have an effective dialogue.

As senator, he says he would work to reduce health care costs for businesses by creating insurance associations and encouraging competition in the market, allowing businesses to grow.

Plowman, a self-described "constitutional conservative," has served in the Maine House and Senate for 16 years and is the current Assistant Majority Leader.

She says that she would bring her negotiation skills and experience with the issues to Washington.

Plowman says she would address the federal regulations she says are are "killing" Maine industries and stifling economic growth and work to improve the state's transportation infrastructure.

She says partisanship has its place, but once politicians stake out their positions they need to be able to reach a resolution.

Bill Schneider calls himself a life-long conservative and says that his experience in public service, including a long military career and two terms as a state representative, qualify him for a Senate seat.

He claims he will bring his brand of leadership that "emphasises bringing people together to solve problems," to Washington.

Schneider says the best way to encourage economic opportunities in Maine is to get the "federal economic house in order," and address government overspending.

Poliquin and D'Amboise did not return phone calls by press time.