Field of candidates for elections in Windham and Raymond finalized

By Ed Pierce

The names on the ballots have been finalized, and the candidates are ready to convince residents they should be elected as voters across Windham and Raymond will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Ballots will be cast to fill seats in local and state races and determine the outcome for five statewide referendum questions.

The slate of local candidates for the Nov. 5 election has
been finalized for Windham and Raymond with races
for State Senator, State Representative, Windham Town
Council, RSU 14 Board of Directors, and Cumberland 
County Commission on the ballot. COURTESY PHOTO 

In Windham, there are three individuals running for two Windham Town Council seats. Incumbent William D. Reiner is unopposed in seeking a three-year term representing the town’s West District. Competing for an At-Large council seat for a three-year term are incumbent David Nadeau and former town councilor Clayton Haskell.

Four candidates are vying for two seats in Windham on the RSU 14 Board of Directors for three-year terms. The top two candidates in this race receiving votes will earn seats on the board. Candidates include Frances Etheridge, Virginia Woodman, Jessica Bridges and Kathleen March.

All seats on the RSU 14 Board of Directors and the Windham Town Council are non-partisan.

For Maine State Senate District 26 representing Windham, part of Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook, incumbent Tim Nangle of Windham, a Democrat, will be opposed by Republican challenger Kenneth J. Cianchette of Windham.

Two candidates are seeking the Maine House of Representatives District 106 seat representing part of Windham. Incumbent Barbara Bagshaw of Windham, a Republican, is running for re-election and is opposed by Democrat challenger Doris Poland of Windham.

Three candidates are running for the Maine House of Representatives District 107 seat representing part of Windham. Incumbent Democrat Jane Pringle of Windham is opposed by Republican challenger Mark Cooper of Windham and Independent challenger and former State Representative Patrick Corey of Windham.

Only two local candidates are on the ballot in Raymond and are vying for the Maine House of Representatives District 86 seat, representing part of Raymond, part of Poland, Casco and Frye Island. Longtime incumbent Jessica Fay, a Democrat, is term limited and instead two Raymond residents are seeking the position. Republican Rolf A. Olsen is challenged by Democrat Craig Messigner in the race.

For the Cumberland County Commissioner District 1 seat, former State Representative Tom Tyler of Windham will challenge Democrat Jean-Marie Caterina of Scarborough. Tyler is unenrolled, meaning he has no party affiliation at this time.

The five statewide referendum questions on the November 2024 General Election ballot include:

QUESTION 1: An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures. Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?

QUESTION 2: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Research and Development and Commercialization. Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?

QUESTION 3: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Restore Historic Community Buildings. Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, with funds being issued contingent on a 25% local match requirement from either private or nonprofit sources?

QUESTION 4: An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation. Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multi-use trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?

QUESTION 5: An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag. Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, as the official flag of the State?

Local voters can request absentee ballots through their respective town clerk’s office. Maine law allows voters to request ballots up to three months before Election Day. Absentee ballots will be issued to voters who have requested them in October and available 30 days prior to Election Day. <