Maine House Assistant Majority Leader Andre Cushing (R-Hampden) announced yesterday that he will seek election to the state senate for District 33, which will be vacated next year by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Debra Plowman (R-Hampden), who is term-limited out.
Cushing sent the following release yesterday:
ANDRE CUSHING ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY FOR STATE SENATE
Assistant Majority Leader to run for open District 33 State Senate seat
HAMPDEN- Representative Andre Cushing announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination to the Maine State Senate in District 33, to represent the 16 Penobscot County towns of; Carmel, Charleston, Corinth, Corrina, Dexter, Dixmont, Etna, Exeter, Garland, Glenburn, Hampden, Kenduskeag, Levant, Newburgh, Newport, and Plymouth.
Cushing is in his second term as state representative for District 39, which includes Dixmont, Hampden and Newburgh, and is the Assistant Majority Leader of the Maine House of Representatives. He is the House chair of the Joint Rules Committee and Committee on Elections. During his first term he was the ranking member of the Joint Committee on Labor.
Representative Cushing was chosen as House chair for The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Affordable Housing and for a study dealing with regulatory taking.
“As a parent, small business owner and native of this area,”he said, “ I am proud to work for the people of Maine, and I know firsthand the challenges many face in this economy . I also know, given the opportunity, Mainers can and will persevere. If elected I will continue to work on issues that make our state more friendly to job creators and the people who live and work here.
As a state we must get our financial house in order and we must stop creating laws that punish those who contribute to a strong Maine economy,” he added. “ We in Augusta must work to create an environment where people want to live, work and enjoy the way life should be. The strength of our state is in the many people who drive our economy, be they farmers, trades people or professionals . They all want the opportunities to provide for themselves and their families.”
Former House Minority Leader Josh Tardy of Newport, who will serve as Cushing’s campaign treasurer, offered his strong words of support. ” I am thrilled that Andre is running for the State Senate.” Tardy said. “He has always been a hard worker and his experience as a small business owner and dedicated public servant will be a real plus as he works on the challenges facing Maine today. His energy and enthusiasm for our state will make him a fine advocate for the people of Senate District 33.”
Cushing, who has over 25 years experience as a small business owner, currently is a Realtor and home builder. He is a native Mainer who attended Bangor-area schools and the University of Maine. He is an active member in both civic organizations and local government, who believes in giving back to the community in which he lives. He has been a member of Jaycees, Rotary and Kiwanis, and has served as President of the EMMC Children’s Miracle Network and Black Bear United Soccer boards. He has served as a town councilor in two communities, including Hampden, where he is now the deputy mayor.
He and his wife, Gwen, who is a supervisor for a telecommunications company, reside in Hampden. They have three adult children– Grace, Andre IV and Gerald.
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