Christians can, will, and should participate in the political process

David Pearson, the losing candidate in the election for the District 24 Representative, told the media that the Christian Civic League (CCL) was an “outside organization” and that a religious group had no business sending an e-mail calling for people to participate in a literature drop.  Mr. Pearson also implied that the CCL participation was “dirty.”

Hear Carroll’s one-minute response to Mr. Pearson by clicking here.

House District 24 elects Wallace

By Erin Rhoda, Morning Sentinel, Nov. 10, 2011

A Republican candidate narrowly beat a Democrat in the race for House District 24 Tuesday night.

Republican Raymond Wallace, of Dexter, won with 49 percent of the vote, while Democrat David Pearson, of Dexter, earned a close 43 percent. Independent Lesley Maynard, of Charleston, took the remaining 8 percent.

The results from Athens, Harmony, Ripley, Dexter, Garland and Charleston were: Wallace 1,170, Pearson,1,026 and Maynard 186.

They were seeking the House seat that was vacated by Republican Rep. Frederick Wintle, who was indicted in October on charges of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed weapon and reckless conduct.

“We’re happy, and now it’s just a matter of getting to Augusta and seeing what we can do for the district,” said Wallace, 65, a former patent maker for Dexter Shoe Company, on Wednesday. His first plan is to meet with officials of each town to see what their needs are, he said.

Pearson, 63, who is Sangerville town manager, said he was proud of his campaign effort, even though he didn’t win.

“We kept our stuff clean. We didn’t make any comments about anybody. We didn’t bring in any outside organization,” he said.

He was referring to a mailing sent to voters last week by the Christian Civic League of Maine. It stated, “The liberals are aggressively going after (Wallace) and this seat … It would be a great blessing if other Christians will rise to help.”

Wallace said his beliefs align with the conservative, religious non-profit group, but he didn’t know it would send the mailing.

“We knew nothing about that whatsoever,” he said.

Pearson said he left his religious views out of the race and thought the mailing was completely inappropriate. He said he was proud of his results in what is a traditionally Republican area.

Lesley Maynard, 49, deputy clerk for Charleston, said, “I have learned a lot, and it was really fun running. I might actually do it again.”