We may not have seen an October surprise in the presidential race, but local races in Maine have seen plenty of late-breaking events and political attacks in the last few days before the election.
Republican House candidate Ken Lindell was accused of "fraud" and "deceit" in a mailer from the Democratic Party based on what Lindell describes as a "misunderstanding" with a client that occurred six years ago and resulted in the suspension of his securities license.
A shadowy PAC has sent a flier to Portland residents attacking mayor Ed Suslovic on a variety of issues. The Bollard has labeled the race "the ugliest Portland political campaign in recent memory".
The Bangor Daily News and the Mount Desert Islander have both recently reported on $20,000 worth of back taxes owed by the family of Democratic District 28 Senator Dennis Damon.
Fed Up With Taxes, the PAC supporting the beverage tax veto, is facing more than $10,000 in fines for failing to report expenditures.
District 44 Representative Robert Walker has sent a Halloween-themed mailer accusing his opponent, Democrat Andrew O'Brien, of using "dirty tricks". Walker admits the charge is untrue, but says he sent the piece in anticipation of potential Democratic attacks.
Not to be outdone, the Maine Family Policy Council (the right-wing group formerly known as the Christian Civic League) has published an article on their website comparing Barack Obama to Castro, Hitler and Pol Pot.
Child Killer Runs for Local Office in Topsham
Paul Bennett is one of three candidates for the Board of Selectmen in the Town of Topsham. The Portland Press Herald reported on Saturday that he had been convicted of manslaughter of his child:
"Bennett, 40, was convicted of manslaughter in 1996 for the 1993 shaking death of his 11-week-old son, Aaron. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but five years suspended, and six years of probation. He was released in 1999."
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=219362&ac=PHnws&pg=2
The Times Record wrote articles about the three candidates on Friday but made no mention of Bennett's conviction. Maybe they did not know. Now that the Press Herald has reported the information, will the Times Record report the news of Monday?