BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 6, 2022
I believe that we’re at a crossroads in our elections. Over the last two years, a foreign government launched a political action committee to influence the outcome of a referendum that was initiated by more than 80,000 registered Mainer voters and citizens. The referendum campaign was negative, deceptive and more costly than any other referendum in our state’s history. Ultimately, Mainers saw through this effort and voted accordingly. Yet the saga continues as the province of Quebec, which owns Hydro-Quebec, refuses to accept the results of that election after spending over $22 million trying to influence its outcome. A number of states are fortunate enough to have already passed measures to protect their elections from this problem. It’s time for Mainers to do the same. That’s why I’ve joined Sen. Rick Bennett as a lead signer of a referendum to Protect Maine Elections from unwelcome foreign interference. ~ Ken Fredette served as Maine House Republican Leader