Maine House Republicans choose lobsterman as next minority leader
Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, of Winter Harbor, said House Republicans are the party of ‘family values and workers.’
|Randy Billings, Press Herald|
Republicans on Monday selected Billy Bob Faulkingham, a Winter Harbor lobsterman, as House minority leader and Amy Arata, a business owner from New Gloucester, as assistant minority leader for the incoming 131st Legislature.
Faulkingham prevailed over three other challengers after three rounds of voting. The votes — which took over two hours — occurred in the House chambers, but was closed to the press and the public.
After his selection, Faulkingham, who is entering his third term and served as a ranking member of the Marine Resources Committee last year, gave only a brief statement to reporters before being whisked away by a House spokesperson, who sought to highlight a unanimous, ceremonial vote as proof of party unity. Faulkingham did not offer any insight into the caucus’ policy priorities for the coming session.
“The Republican Party has been branded by the opposition and now it’s time we brand ourselves,” Faulkingham said just outside the chambers. “We’re the party of family values and workers. The caucus has chosen a lobsterman and a family man, and that’s the direction we’re going.”
Rep. Heidi Sampson, of Alfred, nominated Faulkingham to the post. Afterwards, Sampson said she did so because he is a hard worker, not only as a lobsterman, but also inside the Legislature, where he works with Democrats, and on the campaign trail for candidates.
“We need a working leader,” Sampson said. “Because of his charming personality, he has a unique way of working with all kinds of people.”
Arata, meanwhile, prevailed in a first ballot vote as a write-in candidate against two opponents, Rep. Amanda Collamore, of Pittsfield, and Rep. Shelley Rudnicki, of Fairfield.
Arata is entering her third term and served on the two of the most powerful legislative committees: Appropriations and Financial Affairs, which writes the budget, and the Government Oversight Committee, the legislative panel with subpoena power that oversees state agencies. The GOC recently voted to sue the Mills administration to gain access to confidential and investigative documents relating to the state’s child protective services.
Arata stressed not only the need for party unity, but also the need to work across the aisle and to better communicate the caucus’ values and priorities to constituents and the media.
“We’re here to serve the state of Maine — Democrat, Republican and unenrolled — it’s doesn’t matter,” she said. “I think we need to do a better job of reaching out to (the press.) You’re not the enemy.”
The previous House Republican minority and assistant minority leaders, Kathleen Dillingham and Joel Stetkis, respectively, were term-limited from office.
Democrats will choose their leaders on Thursday.
