Political Extra Blog Index
April 02, 2008
Religious right lines up for Scontras

In June 2006, when Chandler Woodcock of Farmington secured the Republican nomination for governor, a good deal of the credit went to religious conservatives.

The Maine Right to Life Committee provided a phone message for the Woodcock campaign to send to voters. The Maine Jeremiah Project, headed by Bob Emrich, worked to contrast Woodcock's conservative views on issues like abortion with the positions of his more socially moderate Republican opponents.

Now a similar coaltion of religious conservatives is going to bat for Dean Scontras of Eliot in his race for the 1st District congressional nomination.

Scontras, who opposes abortion rights and civil unions for gay couples, rolled out his campaign's Faith and Values Coalition today. The 25 names on the list represent a Who's Who of religious conservatives in Maine.

Their grassroots efforts on Scontras' behalf will be a key factor in the race for the Republican nomination. His opponent, Charlie Summers, favors abortion rights and does not oppose civil unions for gay couples.

Here are the members of Scontras' Faith and Values Coalition:

* Pastor Bob Emrich of Plymouth Baptist Church; founder of the Maine Jeremiah Project

* Michael Heath, executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine

* Paul Madore, executive director of the Maine Grassroots Coalition

* Teresa McCann-Tumidajski, executive Director of the Maine Right to Life Committee

* Paul Davis, former Senate minority leader

* Carolyn Gilman, former Republican state senator

* Pastor Dallas Henry of Hosanna New Testament Church in Oxford; board president of the Christian Civic League of Maine

* Pastor Jeff Tarbox of New Life Church in Biddeford

* Pastor Sandy Williams of First Baptist Church of Freeport

* Pastor Jim Ledoux of Sebago Church of the Nazarene

* The Very Reverend Lester E. York, dean of the Anglican Cathedral of Saint Paul in Portland

* Pastor Jack Daniels of Free Baptist Church in Limerick

* Pastor Eric Hanson of Hosanna New Testament Church in Oxford

* Fr. John Clifton of Church of the Prince of Peace in Sanford

* Pastor Peter French of God's House on the Hill in Sanford

* Pastor Jerry Hubbard of Twin Bridges Pentecostal Church in Harrison

* Rev. Stephen Espling of New Gloucester

* Tim Russell, deacon of Kennebec Valley Baptist Church in Waterville

* Rita Feeney, former executive director of the Maine Right to Life Committee

* Lisa Roche, former executive Director of the Maine Right to Life Committee

* Richard Traynor, former executive director of the Maine Right to Life Committee

* Bob McClure, Maine state director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

* Paulie Heath, Christian Singer/Songwriter

* Justin Horsman, director of The Maine Student Project

* Chuck Spencer, founder of Youth Challenge of CT., Inc.

– Kevin Wack

Posted at 10:54 AM

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Comments

The proper title for this article is "Maine Bigots Line Up For Scontras"

What happened to all these neo-conservatives supporting the war? I thought they were big Bush guys. Wasn't Charlie appointed to a post by POTUS? Isn't he serving in Iraq?

I guess the new motto is "Support our Troops unless they're pro-choice."

Do they know that their candidate is hiding his financial details and uttering libelous comments against former Presidential candidates? Do they know that he has no experience with government whatsoever?

Yes, they know these things, and as long as a candidate follows their narrow mindset it doesn't matter. Mickey Mouse could be running against Jesus Christ, and if Mickey was pro-life they'd endorse him.

They're not the religious right, not in the first district, anyway. They're the religious wrong.

Posted by Chris
April 3, 2008 07:36 AM

A finer group of wackos couldn't be found. Hope this guarantees Scontras victory in the primary. Then just like Woodcock he can go down in flames and takes the Republican Party with him.

Posted by Jon Albrecht
April 3, 2008 12:45 PM

Dean Scontras will make a great congressman, we've had enough of the same old career politicians I am confident of his ability to win in November and carry the GOP to victory in the 1st CD. The list is made up of some strong leaders in the Maine Pro-Life/Pro-Family community and is an indication of the hard work Dean has done out on the campigian trail.

Posted by mainer08
April 3, 2008 02:43 PM

Scontras supports marriage as being between a man and a woman. I do not believe he has stated a position regarding civil unions.

There is a difference.

Posted by WorkingGuy
May 15, 2008 02:25 PM

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Dieter Bradbury is the Press Herald's political correspondent. His career at the newspaper started in 1980, and includes 21 years as a reporter and seven as an editor. Bradbury is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine.


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