Sen. Snowe will not seek reelection
Sen. Olympia Snowe speaks with members of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce in August of 2011. At left is Judy Morton, executive director of the Chamber.
AUGUSTA - Senator Olympia Snowe announced today that she will not see re-election in November, citing an "atmosphere of polarization" in Washington.
The three-term republican said, in a statement released Tuesday evening, that the decision to not run for her senate seat was a difficult decision.
"After 33 years in the Congress this was not an easy decision. My husband and I are in good health. We have laid an exceptionally strong foundation for the campaign, and I have no doubt I would have won re-election. It has been an indescribable honor and immeasurable privilege to serve the people of Maine, first in both houses of Maine's legislature and later in both houses of Congress. To this day, I remain deeply passionate about public service, and I cherish the opportunity I have been given for nearly four decades to help improve the lives of my fellow Mainers."
Snowe was facing a primary challenge from candidate Scott D'Amboise, as well as challengers Matt Dunlap, former secretary of state, Maine Rep. Jon Hinck, state Sen. Cynthia Dill, or Ben Pollard in the general election. In her release, Snowe said that ideologies of "polarization" and "my way or the highway" had become "pervasive."
"Unfortunately, I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term," Snowe said in the release. "So at this stage of my tenure in public service, I have concluded that I am not prepared to commit myself to an additional six years in the Senate, which is what a fourth term would entail."
Snowe concluded her release by thanking the people of Maine, her colleagues, supporters and staff. A news conference will take place in Portland when she returns to the state Friday.
Governor Paul LePage and other state officials immediately addressed the announcement. The governor released a statement, saying he was "saddened" to learn Snowe would not be seeking reelection in November.
"Senator Snowe has represented the State of Maine for more than three decades with integrity and has been a tremendous leader and a tireless advocate for the people of Maine," LePage said in the statement. He added his best wishes for Snowe and her husband, former Maine Governor John McKernan.
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One more career politician down three more to go.
Thank you Senator Snow for your years of service. Thank you for working for the good of the people of Maine!
May we all take a step back and think about what we can do to improve the lives of our families, our neighbors, friends and town, and serve where we can and how we can.
unfortunately, the contest to fill her position will inevitably be extreme and partisan and base and nasty. Sen. Snowe thinks for herself and has class. They don't make them like that anymore!
argh why couldn't it have been collins...?
And this is just the beginning. It's such a shame that Maine is losing such a great states-person like Olympia. Senator Snowe was such a hard worker and dedicated so many years trying to make a better life for us all. BTW, how's that HOPE AND CHANGE working out for ya ??
Hutch - have you thought about relocating to east Africa. The gun trumps the ballot and you can do whatever you want until someone with a bigger gun comes along. Perfect for anarchists.
As a registered Democrat I am sad to see one of the few truly bipartisan politicians leave office. We need more politicians like Senator Snowe, not less. When will we realize that only by coming together can we move forward as a country?
Even as a true blue democrat I've had a lot of respect for and voted for Olympia Snowe. She is a class act that many other members of Congress (on both sides of the aisle) should try to emulate. I understand her decision to leave Washington at this time of acrimonious, partisan politics but feel regret that her influence will not be felt in the Senate to help calm the waters. I am hopeful that we will be able to find someone even half as competent to take her place. Maine has had some outstanding women lawmakers and we should be proud of our tradition of electing quality players to national office. Thank you Olympia for your years of service to the people of Maine, and the people of the United States of America.
It is ashame that she is not running for re-election due to the main fact that the members of the Senate cannot and will not work together to get things fixed and accomplished. No wonder our state and country is in total disarray because people in the senate, congress, local representatives, governors & president can not work together for the common goal of making our country run smoothly and make life good for all the citizens of the US. I am starting to be ashamed and disgusted by our country and it current condition and where it looks like it is going to be heading.
Citizens like Senator Snowe with intelligence, open-mindedness, tact, and civility are few and far between. She will be hard to replace, and I hope that we Mainers will remember her selfless example in choosing our next US Senator.
Thank you, Senator Snowe, for your commendable public service on behalf of all Mainers and Americans - - not just the party faithful and well-paid lobbyists who advocate narrow interests. We are truly grateful.
In this instance, I actually agree with Hutch.
Considering that Olympia Snowe has had 33 years in office to help Maine deal with manufacturing jobs steadily leaving the state over that time and younger Mainer's seeking greener pastures in droves, I certainly will not miss her tenure.
She may be a "class act" of a politician, but she is basically now quitting in the face of a difficult political environment. I don't fault anyone for wanting to retire rather than face losing their last election, but at least be honest that this is what you are doing.
Perhaps now we can get someone in the U.S. Senate that can actually move Maine forward!
All voters should get informed on the issues in each race, choose a candidate, help if possible, and turn off your TV and radio until after the election. SuperPacs are going to have a field day with this one.
Just a personal opinion....it was time for "Snowe Removal" anyway. I'm sure she will be missed by many but I have been unhappy with the many times things have passed on the Liberal agenda because she and Susan Collins cast their votes that way.
Vote for real change. Not Democrap or Republicant. So long as we vote in party members, we vote in the corrupt parties.
She knows she would never be re-elected. Remember, she helped the boy who would be king, with his health care bill!!!!! She is a dem in a Rep coat. Bet she drives a gm car too. Of course the dems will miss her.
To Dennis:
"perhaps now we can get someone in the U.S.Senate that can move Maine Forward."
HA!HA!and just who do you think that would be?
working with the Congerss we have now is A living Nightmare.
Good job Olympia your time has come.God Bless
This could be the big breakJohn Frary has been waiting for !!!!
Dennis Haszko, what world are you living in? Do you really think Olympia Snowe dropped out because she thought she was going to lose? To whom? John Hinck, or Cynthia Dill? Give us a break.
i've always been proud to live in a state where i could vote for two good republicans for senate, two good democrats for the house, and an independent for governor.
we need to learn from steve jobs: they say he encouraged opposing views, new ways of looking at things. we need to keep a balance between the major political perspectives, and appreciate the insight that each side offers.
I am neither "Republican" nor "Democrat." People who are hemmed in by ideology and can only spout talking points make me ... sad.
I cannot believe that someone here is calling the President "boy" - and I'm discouraged that whoever Moderates these messages hasn't sanctioned that racist comment (and don't tell me it isn't - you wouldn't say that about GWB or any other white politician)
Even though Sen. Snowe is a RINO and helped the socialist's agenda by voting for Obama's healthcare, at least she was honest and you knew what you were getting.
I only hope that Pingree doesn't decide she wants to switch to the senate and buy her way in. This is really a problem with the Republicans now having a Sentate seat up for grabs.
Great job, Senator Snow. You did us Mainiac's proud and you will be missed. Sorry to lose one more to those without logic and common sense.
Funny Dennis you place that blame on her but never blame the 30+ years of Democrat rule in this state.
It is always tough being in politics no matter what you do or how you vote. One is usually rememberd for what a person thinks they did wrong, and forgotten is all the good things that happened during there tenure. Senator Snow made some happy and some mad but on the whole more happy than sad. Senator Snow and her staff have served Franklin County well and have always been present within our communities
Now that I work in southern Maine I can only applaud her for her efforts to keep our navel yards working. There is a who group of people who travel here the Phillips area daiy to work here. We can't always be right but we shouldn't be faulted for doing our best.
Thank you Senator Snow for doing the best that you could for all of Maine.
Karen is right about "boy."
Please,in the name of all that is holy,Everyone who reads this encourage John Frary to run for senate. With Charlie Webster as his spokesperson. Or vice versa. Doesn't make a difference as long as they be given every available forum to let people hear their message.
@David
You don't think Sanctus Santorum is providing sufficient fodder for late night comics?
So now the use of the word "boy" is racist. "Oh brotha" what has this country come to with all the PC crap? Trust me people called GWB a lot worse than "boy" but I guess that was okay because he was white and it cant be racist if your saying something about white folk, right?
to vet:
you must be dreaming!
There is little Doubt ,that Olympia Snowe would have been reelected by a land side vote.
she represented us all well in congress and will be very,very,hard to replace.
i thank her for her dedicated service to Mainers and wish her well in her future endeavors.
she will certainly be missed!
Now we can get Baldacci, a man who respects equal rights for all, into the Senate!
Snowe would only get re-elected if the dems voted for her. Per the Oxford American Dictionary..boy...a male child A young man. Those of you who choose to think of the word boy as something else, should be ashamed of such thoughts. It is sad that some people think that way. You must bleed easily, with such thin skin.
My how terrible a leader would be if voters from both parties actually voted for them. I have voted for the Senator before as a registered republican. This year as an independent (Changed out due to the nonsense happening with the Tea Party, and the voter fraud issues with the state republican party leadership the leadership uses fraudulant reasons to try to get its way, thank goodness for the Peoples Veto!)
I would gladly have voted for Senator Snow.
Moderate is an acceptable adjective.
Moderation is commendable in eating, drinking, and dispute resolution, why not in politics too?
Now if we can convince Sen Collins to do the same...
Collins once again voted along party lines today. Luckily more senators including Snowe decided to kill the "Blunt Amendment"
Now at least we will have a fun election season here in Maine.
The news people must bedrooling over all the revenue they will be getting due to the fallout of Snowe's retirement.
Separate and apart from my aways agreeing with either of the State's senators, neither seem to to out of their way to embarrass their constituents by want of civiliity or otherwise and were so recognized
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/maine-senators-may-not-like-each-other-much-but-they-share-love-of-state-job/2011/05/03/AFGwpn0F_story_4.html