WCSH6.com
Voters in southern Maine have 3 choices in the race for the first congressional district seat, Democrat Tom Allen, Republican Darlene Curley and little known independent Dexter Kamilewicz.
So who is Dexter Kamilewicz and why is he running for office? NEWS CENTER’s Chris Rose sat down with him to find out.
This is Kamilewicz’s first attempt at politics.
He was a democrat, but became disillusioned with the way both major parties have run the country.
“All of this whining and crying by the democrats, that the republicans have been in power is pure nonsense. It’s a lack of leadership to go and do something about it. It starts with a single person. I am that single person who is willing to get out there and fight for ordinary citizens,” said Kamilewicz.
A forme teacher, Kamilewicz is now manager of a commercial real estate business in Portland. He lives with his wife Gretchen on Orr’s island.
They are the parents of 5 grown children.
Kamilewicz says he never wanted to be a politician. But when his son was deployed to Iraq, he says he received his calling.
“What we’re asking or soldiers to do, what we’re asking our national guardsmen to do, is absolutely indefensible,” said Kamilewicz.
Bringing American troops home from Iraq and Afghanastan immediately is the core issue of Kamilewicz’s campaign. He says he’s learned first hand from his son Ben of the danger they’re put in and the emotional toll it’s taking on them.
Once the troops are out he proposes cutting military spending in half and using that money back home for universal healthcare coverage, investing in alternative energy sources and cutting taxes.
He says right now congress has no plan for America’s future, so he’s running to unseat the man he used to support.
“I’m running as an independent against Tom Allen. I’ve known him since high school and I’ve actually campaigned for him,” said Kamilewicz.
Kamilewicz’s son Ben served with the Vermont Army National Guard in Ramadi, Iraq. He is now back home in the United States.
NEWS CENTER
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