BRUNSWICK, Maine — Embattled Democratic lawmaker Rep. Alex Cornell du Houx said Friday that he has withdrawn his name from the November election ballot.
Jodi Quintero, spokeswoman for the House Democratic Office, confirmed Friday that Cornell du Houx, who represents part of Brunswick in the Maine House of Representatives, has ended his bid for re-election. Cornell du Houx announced his intentions in a commentary published Friday by The Times Record in Brunswick. Robert Long, the newspaper’s managing editor, confirmed that the column was legitimate and that Cornell du Houx had submitted the commentary to The Times Record exclusively.
Calls to the secretary of state’s elections division Friday afternoon were not immediately returned.
Cornell du Houx cited a new assignment with the U.S. Navy, which begins in January, as his primary reason for pulling out of the race, though he also alluded to a recent controversy involving a protection from abuse order that was sought by Belfast Rep. Erin Herbig.
“Maine’s Legislature convenes in January 2013 at the same time I have orders from the Navy to report for active duty starting Jan. 8,” wrote Cornell du Houx. “When on active duty, I am prohibited from working in any political manner, as members of the military are sworn to protect the Constitution and follow the orders of our civilian political leaders. I won’t be able to be at the State House to properly represent my constituents of District 66.”
In early May, Herbig requested a temporary protection from abuse order against Cornell du Houx, whom she claimed had harassed her after the two had ended a romantic relationship. Herbig subsequently withdrew the order under an agreement that was not made public. Since then, there has been widespread speculation that Cornell du Houx would withdraw from the race after the June primary election, but he denied until Friday that he would do so. He told the Bangor Daily News in late May that he intended to remain a candidate.
Earlier this month, Cornell du Houx surprised Democratic Party leaders when he said he would continue his re-election bid. In his commentary, Cornell du Houx alluded to the conflict he has been in the midst of though he said that his name was cleared when the order was dropped and a Maine State Police investigation was abandoned.
“I had requested an active duty date that did not coincide with the legislative session, but no slots were available, so I was assigned to Jan. 8,” he wrote. “I could go through the process and request another date. However, the events of late have given me time to consider the best way to continue in public service while I move forward with my future. I have chosen to take this opportunity to serve my community, state and nation by progressing my career in the Navy.”
Cornell du Houx, 29, a Gulf War veteran who is now in Australia, is a public affairs officer for the Navy Reserve’s U.S. Central Command for Middle East operations.
Now it’s up to members of the Brunswick Democratic Town Committee who live in House District 66 to choose a Democrat to take Cornell du Houx’s place on the November ballot. The committee faces a July 23 deadline to make that choice.
Andy Cashman, the committee’s chairman, said he’ll schedule a nominating caucus once he receives official notice from the secretary of state’s office that Cornell du Houx has withdrawn.
Cashman said Friday that the committee appreciates Cornell du Houx’s service. “Now, we’re focused on looking to find the best candidate we can to replace him on the November ballot,” he said.
While some Democrats have expressed interest in Cornell du Houx’s seat, Cashman said he hasn’t received official notice from anybody who plans to seek the nomination. He encouraged any potential candidates to notify him of their interest.
Note from Minority Leader Cain: “Your services are no longer required… ” The compassionate party gives one of their own the order of the boot.
Typical Democrat.
“I have chosen to take this opportunity to serve my community, state and nation by progressing my career in the Navy.” – du Houx
Spoken like a real phoney. Instead of putting it simply (i.e., “I’m going on active duty in the Navy.”), he tries to puff it up. And he’s going to be a “public affairs officer”, which I suppose is the glorified military term for a mouthpiece to the press and the perfect billet for a guy like du Houx.
At first glance it appears that the Dems are guilty of racial discrimination against Le Marquis Cornell du Houx because of his French heritage and the possible genetic link to Governor LePage. His faux pas “hors des liens du marriage” avec Madame Herbig can hardly be compared to the baser and more sordid peccadilloes typically associated with reprobates like Barney Frank and Ted Kennedy (God rest his soul wherever he may be). All that is wanting from this Quixotic tale of unrequited lust is the discordant soughing of Angus King’s flaccid intervention.
Most of the “reprobates are Republican. Do you want a contest with names ? You do the D’s, I’ll do the R’s. You have 2, I’ll list 4. How about we limit it to the last 25 years.
Gingrich, Vitter, Ensign and Sanford. The first 2 are still Republican saints, the last 2 are very recent office holders. If you want to argue those names, then pick from these 4. Senator Craig, John Bryan (FL), Rev. Hagagrd, and Roy Ashburn of Cal.
So, don’t go round thinking the Dems are as bad as the Repubs, because one thing Dems lack is the chutzpah to be hypocritical. Almost all the Repubs who get outed as gay are Repubs who sponsor anti-gay, pro-family legislation.
“Dems lack chutzpah to be hypocritical”? Are you sure?
Have you seen the videos of Chellie Pingree ranting about those rotten “Wall St. fat-cats riding on their luxury jets,” along with the photos of Pingree exiting Sussman’s own luxury jets, around the same time period? Turned out she’d been accepting rides on his luxury jets to Maine and DC for some time, meanwhile calling those rotten rich people awful names. Hypocritcal Deluxe.
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http://www.themainewire.com/2012/03/brazen/
News Article on Pingree and Sussman
In September 2010, a video surfaced on the internet showing Pingree disembarking a private jet at Portland International Jetport owned by her then-fiancé, hedge fund manager S. Donald Sussman. This drew criticism because of past statements Pingree had made that were critical about legislators using private aircraft.
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2010/09/24/politics/pingree-responds-to-heat-for-rides-on-fiancersquos-plane/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Okg9wbSJbIo
Video of Sussman and Pingree Leaving Jet.
We can only hope that in all fairness Ms. Herbig will follow suit!
Agreed. Her constituents didn’t send her to Augusta to engage in extramarital affairs, and to disgrace her office.
As reported in the Portland Press Herald he became an officer in the Navy in December.
He served as a combat veteran in the Marines in Iraq. He put his life on the line for you. The fourth of July is around the corner- we all owe our freedoms to people who chose to serve our country. Let’s thank him, and all the rest who serve and who have served our country.
To become an Officer in the Navy is not a walk in the park. The Navy has serious background checks. He has a clean record. Please show some respect for him and your nation.
Dear Mother of Du Houx — I think it’s your son who owes his Maine constituents some “respect.” And an apology, for neglecting to respect his own elected duty in Augusta.
he’s an embarrasment to keep playing the veteran’s card as he does. “I am in the military so please ignore the fact that I am a stalker. “
These articles have been written in a way to help people jump to conclusions, which are exemplified here in some of the previous comments. It is easy to see why Alex would be the target of both republicans and democrats, as he is often bi-partisan. I think he is more representative of Maine than our other extreme right and left wing non-representing representatives. In addition, Alex is only one of a few representatives that sponsor/co-sponsor veteran bills. I can tell you personally that my family has felt the positive effects of his bills, specifically those related to veteran’s family members going to college. Also, I have always found Alex to be accessible, whether it was a phone call or an email. I wish there were more representatives that work like Alex has.
I am pretty sure there are officers in the military that have been
involved in a lot worse then Alex. For him to put his energy into
serving in the Navy after coming out of a complicated situation such as
this shows a strength in him. Ok, so politics didn’t work out so well,
but maybe he will be able to good for our soldiers as he has in the past
when he served in Iraq. Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes they
involve romantic relationships, but he is trying to move on with his
life now. For people to keep tearing apart a decorated soldier such as
Alex is just sad. And if you were his mother, you would do everything
you could for your son too, so attacking her defense of him is pretty
low blow as well. Ramona is not trying to wrap his problems up in an
American flag, she is simply being there for him in a time of need, and
if nothing else I would hope that the other parents out there can at
least respect that.
These articles have been written in a way to help people jump to conclusions, which are exemplified here in some of the previous comments. It is easy to see why Alex would be the target of both republicans and democrats, as he is often bi-partisan. I think he is more representative of Maine than our other extreme right and left wing non-representing representatives. In addition, Alex is only one of a few representatives that sponsor/co-sponsor veteran bills. I can tell you personally that my family has felt the positive effects of his bills, specifically those related to veteran’s family members going to college. Also, I have always found Alex to be accessible, whether it was a phone call or an email. I wish there were more representatives that work like Alex has.