Former Maine Senate president and 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Garrett Mason filed paperwork with the state to form an exploratory committee in a step towards possibly running again for governor next year.
Mason, 40, currently an Augusta lobbyist who heads Dirigo Public Affairs, has been considered a potential candidate for nearly a year in large part due to the strength of his 2018 bid, when he came in second to businessman Shawn Moody. A conservative who is well versed in state government, Mason would add to a growing field that currently consists of nine Republicans seeking their party’s nod for the Blaine House.
In 2011, Mason came to the state house as a young man at the cusp of na red wave then led by Governor Paul LePage. Earlier this year, he participated in a gubernatorial candidates’ forum where he demonstrated a firm grasp on how to get things done in Augusta.
An exploratory committee allows a potential candidate to raise money while testing the political waters before committing to a run.
More cryptically, current House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham posted on Facebook Sunday evening that many people had been urging him to run for higher office and said he was considering the options.
“I’ve had hundreds of of people in person out in public, on social media comments, and in private messages encourage me to run for higher office,” Rep Faulkingham said, adding: “I am totally humbled by your support and encouragement. Serving the people of Maine is one of the greatest honors of my life. Before I announce a decision on my future plans I’d love to hear your thoughts!”
The post garnered over two thousand likes and over a thousand comments. The higher offices available would be U.S. House, where he would challenge LePage for the nomination, or governor, where he would join a much larger field. The current state senator for Winter Harbor, Marianne Moore (R-Washington) is completing her first term and has not indicated she will not run again.
