The following statement was released by Representative Sean Flaherty regarding negative attack mail that has been sent constituents in District 127 (Scarborough):

Rep. Flaherty’s statement also appears in the 11/20 issue of the Scarborough Leader

Many residents in Scarborough have been receiving some interesting mail lately.  I am referring to the attack campaign being waged by a gentleman named Tony Payne and his group called the “Alliance for Maine’s Future.” 

I hold no issue with Mr. Payne’s attempts to engage and educate voters.  But this time he has crossed the line.

By spreading lies about the vote on LD 962, Mr. Payne has intentionally deceived the public to push a partisan agenda that has nothing to do with good policy. On the most recent piece of attack mail, he noted that I was one of 40 votes.  When in reality, I was part of the bipartisan majority of 100 legislators on that bill!

This type of deception and partisanship is not good for Maine or fair to the voters in Scarborough.

Mr. Payne talks about “Change for Maine.”  The only change accomplished as a result of his deceptive mailings is the introduction of a partisan attack campaign a year out of the election.  We’ve all seen this out of state but it is unprecedented in Maine politics.

Most people know that my work in and out of the Legislature has helped to enact several bills that strengthen business opportunity, create new jobs, and offer greater tax incentives to start, attract, and expand business in Maine. 

I did my best to represent my constituents even when it meant taking a politically unpopular position.   And as a result, we accomplished a lot!  Notably, we passed an aggressive agenda in the midst of a budget crisis, prompting The Wall Street Journal to call this past session the “Maine Miracle”.  As a legislative body, we cut the budget, created incentives to produce jobs, lowered taxes for 87 percent of the state, and introduced important consumer protections in health care.  We actually cut state spending by more than 20 percent!

None of this could have been accomplished had I not been able to work in an independent and bipartisan fashion to lead Maine into a more prosperous future.  As an active and engaged member of the Moderate Caucus, a small bipartisan group of legislators who work tirelessly on behalf of small businesses, I find Mr. Payne’s continued smears to be not only off-base, but a shameful mischaracterization.

Truth is essential. Checking up on the work of our legislators is essential. Electing officials who protect the interests and prosperity of Maine, is essential. But lying, deceit, and misinformation are unacceptablele. 

No matter what Mr. Payne and his “Alliance For Maine’s Future” continues to say, I will keep pushing forward to enact legislation that actually ensures a brighter and more prosperous Maine future.  And I will do so by working with citizens, businesses, Republicans, Independents, and anyone else who is actually interested in being a part of the solution.

Sean Flaherty, a Scarborough native who represents House District 127, can be reached through is website at www.seanflaherty.org, by phone at 450-4188, or by mail at PO Box 6990 Scarborough, ME 04070.

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