WINDHAM – With term limits looming, longtime Windham politicians
Bill Diamond, Gary Plummer and Mark Bryant discuss their next
moves.
WINDHAM – Residents of Windham have been represented at the state level by the same three men for the last seven years: state Sen. Bill Diamond, Rep. Gary Plummer and Rep. Mark Bryant.
The trio spans the political spectrum – Bryant the liberal Democrat, Diamond the moderate Democrat and Plummer the conservative Republican.
Due to term limits, each is entering the final year of their fourth and final term in their respective branch of the Maine Legislature, and each has different plans following the end of the next legislative session. While Plummer said this week he will seek Diamond’s former Senate seat, Diamond is keeping his political options open, and Bryant said he is likely not running for office once his term ends next year.
Plummer’s plans
Plummer has deep political roots in Windham. He served on the first Windham Town Council, established just after the town switched over from a board of selectmen form of government in January 1975. He also served for 22 years on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and is currently representing District 111, which covers most of Windham.
After establishing an exploratory committee consisting of representatives from each of the district’s six towns making up the southern Lakes Region, the committee of active area politicos met Monday and urged Plummer to seek the Republican nomination for the seat.
“I have very much enjoyed my three-and-a-half terms in the House of Representatives, and although it’s tempting to say I’ve done my part, I have enjoyed it so much that I want to continue it for at least another two years and then evaluate it beyond that,” said Plummer, a 65-year-old former Windham elementary school teacher.
A familiar name in Windham, Plummer said he will get out into the district’s smaller towns, where voters would be less familiar with him.
“I’m going to work hard, and while I usually have started campaigning in September, due to the size of the district, I’ll probably start knocking on doors beginning in June,” he said.
Diamond’s designs
Diamond, too, is well known in the area, having served in the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1982 and as secretary of state from 1989 to 1997, as well as two terms in the Maine Senate, from 1982 to 1986 and 2004 until the present.
Diamond has become a recognizable figure in the media after taking on high-profile issues such as drunk driving, distracted driving, operating with a suspended license and sex offenses.
The Windham resident has yet to solidify his post-November 2012 plans, saying the possibilities are wide open.
“I really don’t know, and I’m not trying to be coy,” Diamond said. “But people have asked if I would consider at least staying in service and maybe running for the House of Representatives (District 111) so I’m giving that consideration.”
Diamond said some have asked if he is interested in higher office, possibly a run for governor. He hasn’t ruled it out.
“Well, you never can tell. That’s the beauty of politics. You just never know what’s around the corner. But I think there are ways to serve the public that is everything from state representative to town councilor to governor, and I think all of that should be open,” he said, adding, “I think it’s an honor that people would ask me (about running for governor), for one thing, and people mention it to me from time to time, so that’s definitely an honor, but I just haven’t made a final decision on it.”
Bryant’s Blueprint
Mark Bryant has served District 110, part of Windham and part of Gray for seven years and is likewise noncommittal about his political future.
The 20-year Sappi employee and member of the town, state and county Democrat committees will likely not run for office next term, but he is keeping his longer-range options open.
“The future’s wide open,” he said. “I always keep my options open. My feeling right now is that it’s not something I have in mind for this term coming up, but with the actions happening throughout the state, you never know.”
Chemistry
With the fracture between liberals and conservatives in the state and national political realms, Plummer, Diamond and Bryant are rare in their camaraderie and bipartisanship.
Three years ago, the three started Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors, focusing on providing fuel assistance to Windham residents who earn too much to qualify for government assistance programs but too little to cover their bills.
The cooperation isn’t a fluke, however. It’s something the three agreed upon at the outset seven years ago.
“It was easy with Mark and Gary because we all decided we’re going to work together, because we knew that’s what people at home expected,” Diamond said. “The people back in this area are not highly partisan. They’re more about taking care of the issues and not getting caught up in the partisan thing too much.
“So, the chemistry was perfect for us,” he continued, “and I think we are probably unique with all the legislative delegations because we do work so closely. There is never any sniping at each other. I trust these guys behind my back and they know they can trust me. The trust is really, really important. And it reflects well on the community.”
The three intend to stay active jointly leading the Windham Neighbors group even after leaving their current offices.
“We will each continue with Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” Bryant said. “It’s something that is really true to our hearts, and we intend to continue with it.”
Standing according to their political leanings, liberal Democrat
Comments are no longer available on this story