Community leaders turn out for republican caucus

FORT KENT - Mike Nadeau of Fort Kent, owner of Mike and Sons on Caribou Road in Fort Kent, delivered one of the two speeches that received the most reaction of the evening during the Aroostook County Republican Caucus at the Fort Kent Town Office on Friday, Feb. 3.

AROOSTOOK COUNTY REPUBLICAN CAUCUS - Peter Edgecomb of Caribou, the current Republican House Representative for District 4, is running for a seat on the Senate this year. He is shown in the center of the photo speaking with the local town registrars, who were required by law to be present at the caucus. - Daigle image

Nadeau told the audience an anecdote about receiving a notice that he'd never received before for a new boiler or pressure vessel safety inspection requirement. He said this caused him some dissatifaction which inspired a half-serious thought while wandering around his showroom, he said. "If the politicians... are not doing [something about] this, let's send in the mechanics."

REACHING OUT - Hayes Gahagan, a former Republican State Senator and Chairman of the Aroostook County Republican Committee, is shown greeting a member of the audience in the Fort Kent Town Office conference room, one of the three Aroostook County Republican Caucus sites. Gahagan lives in Caribou.- Daigle image

When he spoke to Maine GOP Chairman Charlie Webster the next day, Webster asked him if he would run for office and Nadeau agreed.

He praised the young people in the audience and in the republican party for their participation.

"This generation is going to be fired up and take over the state. And we"ll do well."

Hayes Gahagan, Chairman of the Aroostook County Republican Committee and caucus coordinator, encouraged Nadeau to stick with the political process regardless of whether he wins the race in the upcoming elections.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 2 - Shown here in support is Paul Underwood, a Republican from Presque Isle, and existing Aroostook County Commissioner for District 2. - Daigle image

Supporters in the audience of Ron Paul, one of the Republican party presidential hopefuls, cheered and many raised their hands when Gahagan asked whether there was anyone in the audience who supported Ron Paul and wanted to speak on his behalf. Adam Richardson of central Aroostook spoke at the podium representing Ron Paul backers, saying he was a supporter because Paul never voted for a tax increase, an unbalanced budget, gun control, or raising the debt ceiling.

Missing from the picture gallery is Beth Michaud of Presque Isle, who was looking for the Republican Party vote to run for County Treasurer.

RECOGNITION FOR VETERANS - Chairman Gahagan asks veterans of the armed forces to stand and be recognized for their service to the country. Shown here are some veterans in the audience who were recognized. - Daigle image

Gahagan noted that the St. John Valley has historically voted Democratic during elections.

"Let's say conservatives are an endangered species [in the St John Valley]. I'm real thankful to be here."

He said Webster would announce the results of the caucus Saturday, Feb. 11.

'WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE AUGUSTA' - Mike Nadeau of Mike and Sons in Fort Kent is looking for the Republican vote at the Caucus for House Representative in District 1. If elected by the Republican party, Nadeau will be running against Democrat and incumbent John Martin in the upcoming elections for that seat. - Daigle image

'WASHINGTON NEEDS A VOICE OF DOWNEAST COMMONSENSE' - Karen Raye speaks for Kevin Raye, who will be running in the upcoming election against Democrat and incumbent Mike Michaud for a seat in the US Congress. - Daigle image

'NOMINATE AND ELECT REPUBLICANS WHO CAN WIN IN THIS NEXT ELECTION' - Phil Bossie speaks on behalf of US Senator Oympia Snowe. A representative for Senator Collins was absent. - Daigle image

ROMNEY SUPPORTER - Linda Gahagan speaks on behalf of Mitt Romney, who is hoping to get the Republican party vote to run against President Obama in the next election. - Daigle image