1. I trust Ms. Hayes is a true Independent – and not one of political convenience. Otherwise, I congratulate her on this victory, which helps to dispel the notion some hold that 3rd partisans and/or Independents do not have the skills for governing.

   I wish there were more opportunities for Independents (and 3rd partisans also) to be able to compete for holding public office and be given the opportunity to show they can do the job.

   The Democrats and Republicans have dominated political control in this nation for almost 200 years. And the nation has more problems than it ever has.

   Isn’t this enough evidence, that it’s about time the general public gave us (3rd partisans and Independents) a chance of seeing if we might could do better?

2. Terry Hayes was a 4 term member of the Maine House of Representatives as a Democrat. She left the Democratic Party during this past election and worked for Eliot Cutler, an independent who ran for Governor.

3. The constitutional officers are chosen by a joint convention of the House and Senate. Republicans gained control of the senate, and Democrats control of the House, and have a small majority of all legislators. There are also 4 independent legislators.

   The election is by secret ballot. Terry Hayes was the nominee of the Republicans. She had been elected as a Democrat, and had served as assistant minority leader until 2012, and is still listed on the legislative web site as a Democrat, though she changed her registration to independent this year.

   I could not find a vote tally, but apparently the secret ballot permitted enough Democrats who had served with her to vote for her. It is also conceivable that the independent legislators, who are ideologically closer to the Democrats voted for her.

   The incumbent Treasurer had been elected in 2012, after previously having been elected Auditor by the legislature, so her defeat is quite remarkable.

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