WATERVILLE $ Republican Mayor Paul R. LePage will have competition in the Nov. 4 election if he chooses to run again.

City Councilor Rosemary J. Winslow, D-Ward 3, was nominated for mayor Monday night at the Democratic city caucus.

"I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to put a positive face on this diverse city at the local, regional, state and federal level," Winslow told a packed city council chambers where the caucus was held.

"I want the opportunity to share this city's strengths such as our revitalized downtown, our educational facilities and most importantly, our educated workforce."

Winslow has been a councilor 9 years and was secretary of the city's Charter Commission. She is intergovernmental liaison for U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud.
LePage, reached after the caucus Monday, said he was aware Winslow was planning to run for mayor and is 99 percent sure he will run for re-election.

"It's fine; that's good," LePage said of Winslow's nomination. "I have never run in Waterville, Maine, without competition."

He said he believes he can defeat Winslow.

"The difference between Rosemary and I is, I lower taxes and she's going to raise taxes and that's what it's all about," he said. "Just look at the voting record."

LePage was elected mayor in 2003 and before that, served two terms as a Republican city councilor representing Ward 1. He is general manager for Marden's Surplus & Salvage stores statewide.

Winslow said Monday that she is in a unique position to connect local needs to regional, state and federal entities, having worked with the state Legislature and Michaud's office.

"We are only 20 minutes away from the State House and need to continue the work that many in the community, along with our Legislative delegation, accomplished in getting a bill through the Legislature that allows not only the city of Waterville to re-develop the Hathaway building but also provides that same access in other former mill communities throughout the state," she said.

Tim Trafford nominated Winslow for mayor and the nomination was seconded by City Councilor Thomas R.W. Longstaff, D-Ward 6.

In other action Monday, Planning Board member Erik Thomas was nominated to run for city councilor in Ward 4, a position now held by Dana W. Sennett, the council chairman.

Sennett defeated Thomas, 20-12, in a secret ballot vote held for Ward 4 residents.