Panel to Discuss Franco Impact on Maine Politics and Government
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — Three authorities on Maine politics will participate in a Thursday, April 24 University of Maine panel discussion on ethnicity and politics in Maine.
The forum is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. in Memorial Union’s Bumps Room.
Christian Potholm, the DeAlva Stanwood Alexander Professor of Government at Bowdoin College, will discuss “Franco American Voting Patterns.” Potholm has written three books abut Maine politics, and he has served as a strategics for some of the state’s leading political figures of the past four decades. He also operates a national polling firm, Command Research.
“Franco Americans in Biddeford, Maine” will be the subject of a talk by Rep. Alan Casavant, a first-term Democrat representing part of that community in Augusta. Casavant grew up in Biddeford, where he has been active in political and cultural organizations. He is a Biddeford High school teacher. In that role, he coordinates an annual high school student exchange program with a Quebec school.
Paul Jacques, deputy commissioner of Maine’s Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, will talk about “Americans in the Maine State Government.” Jacques represented Waterville in the Maine Legislature for nine terms, including service as the House Majority Leader and the House Democratic Leader. He is active in statewide and community organizations, including the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission and the American Legion Boys State program, of which he is director.
Prof. James Warhola from the UMaine Dept. of Political Science will provide introductory remarks.
UMaine’s Dept. of Franco American Studies, Dept. of Political Science, Maine Studies Program and Diversity Initiative Committee are the program sponsors. For more information, call 581-3791.