Stuart "Toby" Pennels nominated as GOP candidate for Maine Senate Dist.26

Retired Colonel and community leader eager to meet with voters

WINDHAM – Stuart “Toby” Pennels of Casco has been nominated to be the Republican candidate for Maine Senate District 26 which includes the towns of Baldwin, Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Standish and Windham.

Pennels was nominated by Senator Gary Plummer and approved by members of the Cumberland County Republican Committee during a Thursday night caucus in Windham.

Pennels has an impressive record of service to both his country and his local community. Toby served in the United States Army and Army Reserves. He completed three overseas tours which included a total of 32 months in a combat zone. During his last tour in Iraq, Toby commanded a brigade in Baghdad. Pennels retired from the Army as a Colonel. In his civilian life, he is a financial advisor who has been very active in the community. Toby has been a member of the Sebago Rotary Club for 13 years and is a former president of that organization. He has also chaired the Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby. He is currently a member of the Windham Veterans Association, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Toby’s first venture into public service included a 12-year stint on the Windham- Raymond School Board of Directors. There he served as chair, vice chair and finance committee chair. 

“The State of Maine faces many tough issues right now. I firmly believe we need to send someone to Augusta who can bring a fresh perspective to study the challenges and address them head on,” Pennels said. “That is the main reason I want to serve in the senate; to identify problems and solve them. Finding solutions is what I have been doing my whole life, both in my military service and on the school board.

“I understand first-hand the impacts poor budgeting and broken promises from Augusta can have on our local communities. During my service on the school board we routinely had to make up for budget shortfalls or reductions in funding from the state. It is not right and it is not fair. I am running because I believe there is a better way to do business in Augusta.”

Senate Republican Leader Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) said, “Toby’s background will make him an excellent fit for the Senate. He is a proven leader and a constructive fact-based problem solver. He is also someone who can and will get things done at the State House. There is no question that Toby Pennels should be serving our state in Augusta.”

Cumberland County Republican Committee Chairman Eric Lusk said, “It is very exciting to have someone of Toby’s caliber running for senate. The voters in District 26 are going to have a clear choice in November. I believe when they learn about Toby, his record of service, and his ability to take on challenges; they will agree he is the best candidate to serve them in Augusta.”

Toby and his wife, Brenda, are longtime residents of Windham but have recently moved to Casco. They have three adult children. Toby is a graduate of Windham High School and the University of Massachusetts. He is the owner of Penn Investment Services and specializes in long-term growth stock portfolio management.