BATH – Mike Michaud, who Thursday made his candidacy for Blaine House official, was in Bath Saturday, stumping for Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, who is running for District 19 in the special election to be held on August 27.

Vitelli is running against Paula Benoit, R-Phippsburg, and Daniel Stromgren, G-Topsham, for the seat vacated by Seth Goodall, D-Richmond.

After a rally at the Democratic headquarters, Vitelli and Michaud knocked on doors on Academy Street, not far from Morse High School, before attending the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” event to support the Bath Area Food Bank in Library Park. 

Vitelli and Benoit had each contributed a box lunch to be auctioned off to support the food bank.

Among the Vitelli supporters were new Senate Majority Leader, and candidate for Congressional District 2, Troy Jackson, D-Aroostook, and Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland.  Jackson spoke for Vitelli at a Local 6 meeting across from BIW, where Vitelli won the endorsement of the union.

During the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” fair, Michaud bid on Vitelli’s box lunch, and won the bid for $80.  Benoit’s box lunch was purchased by Jane Morse of Sagadahock Real Estate Association for $60.

Before the rally, Michaud spoke about his own candidacy for governor and his hopes for Maine should he win the election in 2014.

“People have been very upset at the way the governor has handled himself in office, both Democrats and Republicans,” Michaud said.  “I think people are most upset that he is not able to work with the Legislature.  In my work with the Appropriations Committee, I’ve had to work across the aisle.  A key component to my approach would be to work with all kinds of people, and keep a positive attitude.”

Michaud said that in his years in Congress, he has always considered the needs of the people of Maine when considering any federal legislation.  Specifically, he discussed Medicaid.  “The reimbursement rate was too low initially,” he said.  “But now, over ten years, the state would gain more than $600 million if we take Medicaid dollars over ten years.  That will be a priority for me if the expansion doesn’t occur before I take office.”  He said he is looking into whether Maine can work on new exchanges after the Affordable Care Act is enacted.  “We want to tailor the ACA to our own demographics and needs,” he said.

Michaud said that he is hearing from many prior LePage voters that they are considering him instead.  “I think 2014 will be very different from 2010,” he said, referencing the three-way race that propelled LePage into the governorship. 

When asked what he would miss about being in Congress, Michaud said, “I love my job in Congress, even though Washington is dysfunctional right now.  I am very proud of the work I have done on the Veterans’ Affairs committee.  We will have seven complete pieces of legislation that will make our former soldiers’ lives far better than they were when I came into Congress.”

Michaud said that in the end, the race will turn on the number of voters who turn out.  “It’s all about getting out the vote,” he said.