Jason Levesque, the Republican challenger in the 2nd Congressional District race, is blaming Democratic policymakers, including his opponent, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, for a slight increase in the state unemployment rate and national weekly jobless claims rising this week to 500,000 — the highest point since November 2009.
Levesque called the numbers released Thursday and Friday “yet another round of unemployment statistics and another round of disappointment for families in Maine and across the country.”
“This administration and Congress have been abject failures when it comes to stimulating this economy so we can create jobs,” Levesque said in a statement released Friday. “But that’s the biggest problem — Congress is trying to create jobs themselves instead of getting out of the way so the private sector can do it.
“Maine’s unemployment rate increased again from June to July — that simply means more people out of work; more people struggling to pay for their mortgages and feed their families; more people unable to spend money in the marketplace,” he added.
Greg Olson, Michaud’s campaign manager, said he thought Levesque’s finger-pointing was misguided.
“Jason’s continued over-the-top political attacks are exactly what’s wrong with both parties in Washington,” Olson said in an e-mail. “Instead of coming together to solve our nation’s economic crisis, the two parties are more interested in scoring political points and placing blame on each other. There is more than enough blame to go around.”
Maine’s unemployment rate hit the 8.1 percent mark in July. It was at 8 percent in June and 8.2 percent a year ago, according to the Maine Department of Labor website, at www.maine.gov.
The number of unemployed totaled 56,200, down 1,500 from a year ago. The national unemployment rate was 9.5 percent, unchanged from June and not significantly different from the 9.4 percent a year ago, according to the site.
“The picture in Maine is similar to the nation. Although there has been some job growth in 2010, the unemployment rate remains high,” Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said.
In Millinocket, the largest town in the Katahdin region, unemployment ran at 14.8 percent in July, with 600 out of 4,010 workers out of work, state labor statistics show. Michaud lives in East Millinocket.
Friday’s statements mark the first time that Levesque, a Republican from Auburn running against the four-term incumbent Democrat, has placed blame for state and federal unemployment rates squarely on Michaud’s shoulders.
Levesque also mentioned the planned closing of Connect North America Corp. call center in Presque Isle, which will put 100 people out of work, he said.
“We have got to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs. Mike Michaud and this Congress have voted for massive spending, for job-killing legislation such as Obamacare and the Cap and Trade bill, for stimulus after stimulus,” Levesque said. “They are killing Maine businesses and hurting Maine families.
“Last week, Congress reconvened in a special session and instead of working on legislation to stimulate our job market, they did a quick bill to hand out more cash to benefit their union friends. Mike Michaud and Congress must be held accountable,” Levesque said.
Michaud has worked hard to preserve and bolster the state’s economy, Olson said.
“Mike believes that the best way to get our economy moving again is to invest in our transportation infrastructure, loosen up credit for small businesses, reform our nation’s trade policies and balance the federal budget,” Olson said. “Mainers are hurting right now, and instead of engaging in political games, he will continue to work with members from both sides of the aisle to put people back to work.”
Levesque said he will vote to repeal the massive health care bill passed last year and work to reduce taxes on businesses and provide tax incentives so businesses may grow and hire.