Congressional CU Ally Is GOPTarget

BANGOR, Me. - (07/20/04) -- Republicans have set their sights onRep. Michael Michaud, the credit union director who narrowly wonMaine's second congressional seat in 2002. The race has attracted alot of attention from the Republicans because it is one of ahandful of seats expected to be competitive in November and becauseMichaud, a director at Eastmill FCU, East Milinocket, barelydefeated Republican Kevin Raye, a top aide to Republican Sen.Olympia Snowe, in the last elections. "This is one of the races theRepublicans have targeted," Jon Paradise, spokesman for the MaineCU League, told The Credit Union Journal. Michaud's opponent isBrian Hamel, a local businessman who helped redevelop Loring AirForce Base after the base was closed. Credit union representativeshave been helping finance Michaud's campaign and have brought himaround to campaign at local credit unions.