PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Labor Day signifies many new beginnings: a new season, a new school year, and the unofficial kick-off to election season.

Two of the candidates for U.S. Senate spent holiday on the campaign trail. Democrat Cynthia Dill attended two labor council events, one in Portland and one in Lewiston. She says protecting unions is one of her top priorities.

"The number one issue on Maine peoples' minds is jobs and jobs that pay a fair wage," Dill said. "Unions are at the top because unions are fighting for working conditions, for fair wages, for fair trade agreements, all of these things that have to do with jobs, and jobs are what everybody wants in Maine and what everybody needs to support their family so it's really critically important."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republican Charlie Summers spent part of the day meeting and talking with small business owners at the Windsor Fair. He says they are the people he wants to represent in the United States Senate.

"One of the reasons I wanted to get elected to the United States Senate was because I believe strongly in the work ethic of Maine, strongly in the workers, the workers at places like Bath Iron Works, at Saco Defense, at Pratt and Whitney," Summers told NEWS CENTER. "Those are the people who make our country strong by the products that they produce."

Independent Angus King was not available for an interview Monday, but his campaign sent the following statement:

"Today many of our neighbors are struggling and looking for work and others are working hard just to make ends meet. The challenges facing families are daunting and yet every day those challenges are met with the determination that embodies the spirit of Maine."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS CENTER