Democrats Denise Harlow and Ralph Chapman have announced a change in their registration | Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

Maine’s Denise Harlow and Ralph Chapman, both Democratic representatives, have announced a change in their registration going from Democrat to independent. The size of the blow to the Democrats in Maine is uncertain but surely will not be seen as beneficial to lose such veteran politicos. From the Portland Press Herald’s report by Kevin Miller:

“Obviously, this is not a decision that I have taken lightly,” said Harlow, who added that her family’s Democratic roots go back to her great-grandfather. “I have been a member of the Democratic Party for my entire adult life and have proudly represented part of Portland in the Legislature for 6 1/2 years … I continue to be aligned with the core Democratic values.”

However, Harlow said “individual thinkers are often marginalized” in the party and she remains “extremely concerned” about the influence lobbyists have in Augusta. Harlow is serving her fourth term and is prohibited under Maine’s term limits from running again in the House. While Harlow could seek a Senate seat, she said Friday she had no plans to run again.

Also, about Representative Denise Harlow:

Rep. Denise Harlow is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. She serves on both the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. Harlow is an Olympic marathon trials qualifier, a long-time cross country and track coach and owner of a small pet care service. She was previously employed as a math tutor and at a package shipping service.

Harlow’s community involvement includes serving as a board member and treasurer of her neighborhood organization, the Riverton Community Association and as a Portland Trails volunteer. Harlow is a graduate of Brandeis University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

And about Representative Ralph Chapman:

Rep. Ralph Chapman is serving his fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. He and his wife, Rebecca Poole, have lived in the district for more than 25 years and raised their children there. Chapman’s primary career has been in scientific research applied to energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency. He has worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Lab and Tufts University’s Electro-Optics Technology Center.

More recently, Chapman has worked with United Technologies Center, the regional public career and technical education secondary school in Bangor. He has taught at the elementary through graduate levels and currently provides training in advanced building science for the energy efficient residential construction industry. His work has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals.

Chapman’s legislative priorities are to bring a scientific approach and data analysis capability to the legislative process, promote job creation through innovation in local industry and encourage citizen involvement in governmental processes.