PORTLAND, Me. – Maine credit unions made up this week with Chellie Pingree, the Democratic congressional candidate with an official endorsement by the Maine CU League, after an intensive campaign for Pingree’s opponent in the primary.
"During her eight years as a state senator, Chellie was a solid friend of Maine's credit unions. We believe that she will continue to be a strong advocate and supporter of Maine's 600,000 credit union members in Congress," said John Murphy, President of the Maine League, in endorsing Pingree.
The endorsement comes just four months after the Maine league endorsed Pingree’s opponent in the Democratic primary, Iraq war veteran Adam Cote. The primary endorsement was followed up by $135,000 in independent campaign activities for Cote which were financed by CUNA, separate from the league. Cote’s drubbing by Pingree in the primary made for a delicate situation with Pingree, a long-time credit union supporter.
The primary wounds by the credit union lobby were salved more when CUNA gave Pingree a $5,000 campaign contribution last month. "She’s someone we should be able to work with," said Trey Hawkins, political director for CUNA, of Pingree, the former director of Maine consumer advocacy, Common Cause.
