MPBN, Press Herald Interview Brewer About Political Races
Mark Brewer, a political science professor at the University of Maine, spoke with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network and the Portland Press Herald about current political campaigns. MPBN interviewed Brewer for a report about the National Rifle Association endorsing Kevin Raye, a candidate in the Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District. Brewer said the state’s 2nd Congressional District is relatively rural and has a high percentage of gun owners. He said primary voting turnout is likely to be low, and “anything that might possibly make a difference,” such as an NRA endorsement, could work in Raye’s favor. The Press Herald quoted Brewer in an article about U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democratic candidate for governor, facing criticism over the Department of Veterans Affairs scandal. Brewer said he’s not surprised Michaud’s opponents are using the scandal against him. “It’s clear that, for Michaud, veterans issues has been his No. 1 priority since he’s been in Washington,” Brewer said. “It’s also safe to say he recognizes how important veterans are to elections here in Maine. They are a big voting group and he thinks he has a fair amount of support from them. Anything that could weaken that could potentially be problematic.”