May 29 – Two Republicans compete for the chance to replace longtime Rep. Chellie Pingree for her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth, who previously worked in sales and business development, and Ronald Russell, a retired U.S. Army veteran from Kennebunkport, will face off in the June 11 primary to determine who will face Pingree in November to withdraw.
Neither candidate has previously held elected office and both would face long odds against Pingree, a Democrat who is seeking her ninth term and represents Maine’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the southern and coastal areas. No Republican has held the seat since James Longley Jr., who served one term from 1995 to 1997.
“Family is why I run,” said Piantidosi, 37. “Maine is one big family to me. We don’t always agree or get along, but we all want the best. for each other and that’s actually why I run.”
“I’m a little concerned about our country and the direction it’s taken in the last three to four years,” said Russell, 69. “It seems like our reputation around the world is declining. We become less productive there in terms of the amount of money we make. Our economy is suffering and our citizens are suffering. I want to try to change that.”
Both candidates are focusing on the economy as a major concern.
“I think we need to have a serious understanding of what we spend money on and how that impacts Maine families on a daily basis,” Piantidosi said. “It shouldn’t be that hard to raise a family in Maine and that’s a big deal.”
“It’s hard for Mainers to put food on the table for many of us,” Russell said. “That’s just not how life should be.”
Russell also mentioned divisions in politics as an issue he wants to address if elected.
“The biggest thing I can do in Congress is start working with everyone to get something accomplished,” Russell said. “The division in our nation is killing us as a nation, and it has to stop. I believe I can work across the aisle and pass legislation that will benefit everyone.”
Piantidosi said part of the reason he is running is because of the challenges he and his wife have faced in getting services for their young daughter with autism, and he said he wants to make sure parents have the receive proper resources for their children and have the right to choose their schools. He also said he wants to provide more assistance to homeless veterans.
“I think more programs need to be allocated at the federal level to get these people the help they need from a mental health perspective, but also from a financial planning perspective and how to get them on their feet and how to help them find a job.” and be reintroduced into the labor market,” he said.
Both candidates said their career experience and fresh perspective will make up for their lack of political experience. Piantidosi grew up in Connecticut and moved to Maine with his family five years ago. His wife is originally from Cape Elizabeth.
“I’m very involved in my community,” said Piantidosi, who teaches in South Portland schools and has been a member of his homeowners association.
“I’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies,” he said. “I believe my skills and my study of politics and history in college, as well as my years in sales, uniquely position me to take on a leadership role at the federal level.”
Russell grew up at Fort Fairfield in Aroostook County and moved back to Maine in 2021 after serving his time in the military and running a defense consulting firm in North Carolina.
“Given the way the world is today, I think my experience may be more applicable than Congressman Pingree’s,” Russell said. “This job is representative of the United States Congress. That means you have to come back and talk to the people you represent to know how to represent them. I don’t think that happens to the extent that it would today need to happen.”
Pingree faced Republican Ed Thelander of Bristol in her last re-election effort and won easily with 63% of the vote. She was first elected to Congress in 2008 and has easily defended her seat since then. In 2020, she won reelection with 62% of the vote, and the district leans heavily toward registered Democrats.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Andreas Piantidosi
Age: 37
Residence: Cape Elizabeth
Political experience: None
Education: BA in History from Saint Anselm College
Occupation: Worked in sales and business development before running for Congress
Website: Andrew Piantidosi for Congress
Social media: Andrew Piantidosi for Congress on Facebook, @andrewformaine on Instagram, @AndrewforMaine on
——————–Ronald Russell
Age: 69
Residence: Kennebunkport
Political experience: None
Education: BS from the United States Military Academy at West Point, advanced degree in German from the Defense Language Institute, graduate of the Army War College
Occupation: Retired after 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, including as an airborne ranger and Green Beret. He also started and managed a defense consultancy firm for 15 years.
Website: Ron Russell for Congress
Social media: Ron Russell for Congress on Facebook, @ronrussellforcongress on Instagram, @RussellforHouse on
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