ROCKLAND, Maine — The Republican candidate for a local Maine House seat said he plans to remain in the race and is fed up with questions about his residency.
Gordon Mank Jr. said Monday evening that even though he and his family have lived since 1999 at the Hospitality House homeless shelter that he and his wife oversee in neighboring Rockport, he considers himself a Rockland resident.
Mank has owned a three-unit apartment building on Grace Street in Rockland since December 2005. He listed 81B Grace St. as his residence on the voter registration card that he filled out in November 2006.
Mank said last month that he had moved out of the Rockland apartment pending renovations, but on Monday he revised his story, saying he did not physically live there but he considers it his residence. He added that he had been renting Apartment B to someone else and had asked that person to vacate earlier this year.
“I’m fed up to here,” Mank said gesturing with his hand up to his face about repeated questions about his residency.
Mank said he and his wife have purchased a home in Rockland that they will be moving into soon. The Knox County Registry of Deeds shows that the Manks purchased a single-family house at 26 Orchard St. in Rockland on Aug. 31.
The Maine Constitution states that a person must be a resident of the district at the time he is nominated or placed on a ballot. State law defines residency as the residence of a person where “the person has established a fixed and principal home to which the person, whenever temporarily absent, intends to return.”
Mank was put on the ballot this spring and won the House District 47 Republican nomination in the June primary. District 47 includes all of Rockland and an adjacent part of Owls Head.
The Hospitality House, the homeless shelter the Manks have run since 1999, is in Rockport, which is in House District 46.
Mank said he received a call from the Republican state party office in the past week and was asked whether he planned to remain in the race. Mank said he would not drop out and would answer no more questions about his residency. He said he grew up in Rockland, went to school there and has owned property there.
Megan Sanborn, communications director for the Maine secretary of state, said the department has no authority to act on complaints at this point. She said that anyone wanting to challenge his nomination had five business days from the time he filed his nomination papers to do so.
Mank said he also is not sure whether he will participate in any debates if any are scheduled.
He said his main concern at the moment is his wife, who is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday for four collapsed discs in her back.
Mank will face off against Democrat Elizabeth Dickerson of Rockland on the Nov. 6 ballot. The seat is held by Democrat Edward Mazurek of Rockland, who is unable to seek a fifth consecutive term because of the state’s term limit law.
“Mank said he also is not sure whether he will participate in any debates if any are scheduled.”
Gee, one wonders why?
Getting on the ballot and beating his Republican Challenger was the fun part. Following the rules answering questions from reporters and voters doesn’t sound like a very good time to Gordon.
The sad thing is , the world is run by people who show up. Unfortunately someone like Gordon Mank showed up.
Does “wing nut ring a bell?
lol still thinks he’s LARGE AND IN CHARGE. heaven help us.
Strikes me as what he is doing is, in fact, illegal. It’s okay, though, being a republican he knows that laws apply only to others, not to him because he considers himself to be a resident of Rockland even though his actual, de facto address is Rockport. If he gets elected, he will go on to collect a pension and get his medical insurance paid for by the taxpayer, all the while telling others that they are socialists! lol
Because the GOTea sorts think that they all are so very special,
they all should be given a ride on the short bus, right out of the government.
I beg your pardon , I happen to be a republican and I think he has been far from honest.I say don’t tell me what your planning to do when it is obvious that you where’nt honest to begin with. He lives or lived in Rockport when he filed his papers.He should forfitt his seat period.
Joe, you are correct. I was loathe to use the ‘republican’ card because it really bugs me when I see the ‘dem’ card used. We are all americans. It is time to work together to get things done for the best of all of us. I decided to use the repub. card because the state republicans are the ones complaining about voter fraud and here’s a republican running for office while breaking the law. It’s rather like Mitt telling us how much he understands the common man while he hides his wealth offshore and pays less % of his income than I do. It just plain bugs me.
Mitt Romney He ain’t.and there isn’t a one Dem ,Rep,Ind,Green white blue they’re all a bunch of liars.
I too am Republican and find that his behavior defines all Republicans. I also find the liberal snarking disgusting as well. What this person is doing is illegal. No one should have to challenge within a 5 day time frame. The clock shoud start when it is discovered and the person breaking the law automatically disqualified from running at all that election. He sounds delusional as well.
The problem, Joe, is that far too many, dare I say a heavy majority, of the TeaPublican politicians aren’t even arms-length acquaintences with facts and the truth, and that has tainted the entire party. If the moderate Repubs don’t step up and demand more integrity from their politicians this will continue.
he has to win it first
Shouldn’t we get Republican Chairman Chas. Webster and Secretary of State Chas. Summers to FINALLY conclude their investigation of legal student voters and start investiagting this allegation of fraud?
They’re only interested in voter fraud. Candidate fraud’s not their department.
Candidate fraud’s is so their department.
They organized it at two conventions, … never mind … not counting how many caucuses .
Um, Ben was being sarcastic and using irony.
He’s committing both! Don’t fear, Summers will…..ummm….do something about this!
Megan Sanborn told me that the Secretary of State’s office would not forward this to the Attorney General’s office for investigation.
and we are surprised? what a bunch of crooks!
How do you live in Rockport but consider yourself a Rockland resident? What a wingnut!
Which town did he pay excise tax in on his vehicle(s)?
This makes no difference regarding whether he is qualified to be on the ballot. If paid vehicle excise tax to Rockland, then officials in Rockport might want to look into it.
You should get to know him.lol
Mank the Skank ????????????
no need to stoop to that level.
Doesn’t matter where you went to school, grew up or lived, only thing that matters is where you were living when placed on ballot.
This is the problem with our elected officials, (and apparently for wanna be’s), they make the rules apply to everyone but them. It is time this stops, lets make them follow the rules and law that they make!
He needs to withdraw.
I agree.
and who verifies those facts when fileing papers?
The date to have his name removed from the ballot has passed. Mank can withdraw, but the Maine Republicans will not be able to name a replacement. Had Mank withdrawn last week, a blank space would have appeared where normally a Republican candidate would be found.
Mank still serves as a blank space where a Republican would be found.
Zap!
Yes, as I wrote, Mank cannot withdraw and have his name removed from the ballot.
“Blank” would be a huge improvement, where normally a Republican candidate would be found. I’ve found a majority of them quite blank in the brains department. Mank has helped voters a lot w/name recognition: “Blank Mank.”
I would think that there is still a spot for a write-in candidate.
There always is a spot for a write-in candidate.
Title 21-A: ELECTIONS
Chapter 9: CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS
Subchapter 3: POST ELECTION PROCEDURE
Article 1: TABULATION AND RESULTS
§722-A. Determination of declared write-in candidate
To be considered a declared write-in candidate, a person must
file a declaration of write-in candidacy with the Secretary of State, on a form
approved by the Secretary of State, on or before 5 p.m. on the 45th day prior to
the election. The candidate must meet all the other qualifications for that
office. [2009, c. 253, §37 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
1999, c. 426, §24 (NEW). 2007, c. 455, §40 (AMD). 2009, c. 253, §37 (AMD).
An “undeclared write-in candidate” can win an election. Such a candidate has to have received the most votes for that particular office, and then request a recount in writing.
An undeclared write-in candidate could win an election with the following stipulations, including a $10,000 deposit, and if the recount fails, the actual cost of the recount.
Title 21-A Section 737-A.
2-A. Recount for write-in candidates. For the purposes of this
section, a declared write-in candidate who has complied with the requirements of section 722-A is treated the same as any candidate whose name is printed on the ballot. An undeclared write-in candidate also may request a recount and be treated as a designated recount candidate, but only upon first submitting a
written request for a recount that must contain a statement signed by the candidate that the candidate will accept the nomination. The consent must contain a declaration of the candidate’s place of residence and party designation and a statement that the candidate meets the qualifications of the office the write-in candidate seeks, which the candidate must verify by oath or affirmation before a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths or affirmations that the declaration is true. The undeclared
write-in candidate must submit a $10,000 deposit. If the recount fails to reverse the outcome of the election, the undeclared candidate must also pay the actual cost of the recount, as determined by the Secretary of State.
In addition, the degree to which people are trained and aware of the blank or undeclared write-in ballot process could certainly affect outcome. This, from a memorandum that was issued for the June 12, 2012 election: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/temp/writeincandidatememo.doc
I don’t know who received this memo, but I do know that we need nationally-standardized voting procedures.
Also, a return to having bake and other food sales at the polling places. I guarantee higher voter turn-out.
There is a simple way to “remove him from the ballot”. Don’t vote for him! Whether you are a democrat, republican or independent, I don’t see how, in good conscious, you could support this fraud’s candidacy.
yes, block the vote at the ballot box
if he is honorable ( a BIG question) he will withdraw and all votes cast for him will be void
Sorry, Gordon. The law is the law. It applies to you, too.
Hmm, Mr. Betts, follow up?
It looks like the district 47 Republicans didn’t vet their candidate very well. Like most politicians, if he can say it often enough and if he believes it, it must be true. Even though it is not the truth, if it is true to him, it must be the truth.
They had a very capable candidate in Jim Raye who actually does live in Rockland, but somehow Gordo managed to win the primary.
Probably because many thought it was his father, of the same name, running.
Plain and simple, his explanation is a crock! Owning property in a town does not make you a resident, only a taxpayer! Where you put your head at night with your family is your residence! He wasn’t there when the law says he had to be, therefore he is not a resident in the proper district. The problem here is that there is no simple law on the books to enforce his removal from the ballot or from office if elected. Run for that office two years from now when you will be a legal resident of Rockland!
Should Mank win the election, his residency can be challenged, and he likely would be declared unqualified. This would force a special election.
Let me hazard a guess: he’s campaigning on promises of saving the taxpayers money. Typical Grand Old Prevaricator.
I have yet to see or hear of Mank doing any sort of campaigning.
“This would force a special election….” Causing much more expense to the city and towns involved.
I assume they will bill him personally???
Well, gee, Gordon, I consider myself fabulously wealthy, but that doesn’t change the inconvenient fact that I’m not. Similarly, you don’t live in Rockland.
i found this:
http://www.sunjournal.com/node/559556
Gordon P. Mank Jr., 42, Rockland, domestic violence assault, assault on Feb. 23, 2008, both charges dismissed.
ahhh, a wife beater? well, we know that this is on the GOP’s minds lately… did ya read about that?
Sounds like Romney and his Massachusetts residency.
I live in Arkansas these days but was born in Rockland, grew up in Rockland and graduated from RDHS, Is it too late for me to put my hat in the ring Gordon?
To Steve Betts…this reminds me of years back when Rockland had a city councilman who nobody could figure out where he lived either (Oram Lawry III). Does this ring a bell for you from your days on the Courier?
Good one Ron… I was thinking the same thing but couldn’t remember the guy’s name. Did they ever figure it out?
Yes they figured it out, I don’t recall exactly where they determined he resided but he was proven to be an actual resident. His sole purpose was basically to serve as a rubber stamp/yes man for one of the other councilors anyway.
Won’t this open up some problems for Chellie Pingree and her hubby? They live in the Virgin Islands. I guess living in the homeless shelter that you operate is still bad if you are a Republican.
it would be fine, if the homeless shelter was in Rockland.
having a home somewhere doesn’t necessarily constitute residency. Many people have property elsewhere (camps, trailers in Florida, etc) and yet claim residency where their PRIMARY residence is, where they vote, where their car is registered, etc. If you have a home in Maine AND pay excise tax in your town, and are there for the largest part of the year, etc. you are a resident. Mank clearly has several irons in the fire and cannot decide where he lives. Poor bugger.
Here is the form that every candidate for the Maine Legislature completes, in which it clearly states as a qualification:
The person shall be a resident in the district which the person seeks to represent.
And where the candidate lists their “residence address.”
http://www.scribd.com/doc/105638870/Maine-Candidate-Consent-Form
Of interest is that Mank claimed that he lived at 81-B Grace Street on his nomination papers that he circulated in February – except that Mank had leased that apartment to someone else in November 2010.
Read the entire story at the Free Press, including pertinent documents:
http://www.freepressonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=52&SubSectionID=467&ArticleID=20619
maybe he was “involved” with that resident and “slept” there???? I see another juicy scandal in Mank’s future… Betts can look into that
Inappropriate.
I’ve met the tenant to which Mank rented the apartment – Mank did not live there. Bachofner’s comment is inappropriate.
Facts are always welcome.
The Republicans could only offer us is Gordon Mank Jr.
That is very sad indeed.
Rockland and Owl’s head deserve better.
The Republicans offered two candidates. Jim Raye the better candidate lost due to a low voter turn out for the primary due to the Rockland Big Dig construction project tying up the area around the polling location.
yes, voter turnout WAS hampered by the Big Dig, ordered to happen then by?????
If I lived in Rockland I would be going ballistic.
Perhaps it’s time for the two towns to discuss a merger: Rockportland!
Why all the remarks? Let the voters decide. Then you’ll know if he broke the laws in the eyes of the district voters.
That’s a nice idea. In fact, let’s put all questions of law up to a public vote. That lady who robbed the Circle K on Stillwater Avenue the other day, for instance. If the cops catch her, rather than sending her to court we can just have a referendum, and find out if she broke the law in the eyes of Orono’s voters.
Unfortunately what we do NOT need is Lizzie Dickerson representing Rockland residents on a state level. it is bad enough to have her on the city council, but holy crap, what do you think would happen on the state level with her there. She is a disgrace, constantly not following procedure, constantly rude to the other councilors, and just plain not very smart.
And no, I am against Gordon Mank JR as well. I do NOT think he should be representing Rockland considering he has “lived” in Rockport for 13 years. it doesn’t matter that he “considers” Rockland his home. Heck, I am not from around here and even I do not consider where I am from as home anymore.
“… but holy crap, what do you think would happen on the state level with her there. She is a disgrace, constantly not following procedure, constantly rude to the other councilors, and just plain not very smart.”
Honestly? She’ll fit right in at the State House, then. Not going to be a problem at all.
If you ever speak at Council meetings, you should know that the environment in that room is challenging to say the least.
You have to be kidding me with her being overly respectful and follows procedures. I go to the majority of the meetings and I also will watch them on the local channel here in Rockland. She is NOT respectful of anyone that has a differing opinion then she does. The way she rolls her eyes at people, sighs at people that take to long, and just plain show a complete and utter disrespect for the process and the people of Rockland. Unfortunately there is only 1 good councilor on the city at this point and that is Mr. Clayton. At least we have a chance to get another one on there in the fall when Mr. Isganitis runs against Mr. Harden (who is another joke in and of itself).
She does not represent the city or it’s residents at all with her voting, comments, or the way she carries herself.
With that being said, unfortunately we do not have the choice of the lesser of the 2 evils running this time. Can we please bring back Mr. Mazurek? I know his term limits are up, but at least he brought respectability to the job!
There is still time to get other candidates on the ticket for local office. September 24 is the deadline. The only requirements are local residency.
vote for Ed Mazurek for Senate
Yes.
That’s great Carol, but that doesn’t solve the problem of Lizzy or Gordo!
Well, isn’t this just the perfect example of the “rampant voter fraud” the republicans have been ranting about for the past 2 years? It seems he listed his primary residence in a town he has not lived in for 13 years. I would hope the AG would immediately undertake an investigation of his voting record since 1999. If he has voted in Rockland while being dishonest about his true place of residence, I’d like to the see republican chest thumpers demand this criminal be prosecuted.
funny how he claims to be a rockland resident when he isn’t. Everybody knows where he lives so how is he getting away with this???? Apparently the powers that be have decided to overlook this little fact
I “feel like i live” in rockland? are you kidding me?!! he lives right beside me. in rockport.
well, I’m sorry for you
How did Raye, not uncover this during the primary…?
To be honest, I think most rational people figured Gordon wasn’t a serious challenge and they underestimated him and his following and didn’t bother to dig. Jim should have been able to beat Gordon just on a rational comparison alone.
Anybody who has lived in Rockland for more than 5 years should be aquainted with Gordon Mank Jr. or at least know someone who has a Gordon story.
Complacency is a poor excuse…
I agree complacency is a poor excuse. But as I said, even if you didn’t know exactly where he lived, if you have lived in Rockland any length of time, you have enough of an idea about Gordon Mank Jr not to take him seriously as a candidate for anything
I here ya, Ron…but Jim should have done his legwork…it’s hard to imagine having an opponent and not researching this kind of thing.
It is a fallacy to say it was difficult to get to polls because of construction in Rockland. All people had to do was to park on Beech St, walk across the library pathway and enter into the back of the rec center to vote. It was a lovely day. Apart from the Grace Street property having a for sale sign on it and invisible trucks carrying invisible workers to do renovations, you’d think Mr. Mank would hang out there in his time off. Maybe he’s doing that on Orchard St.
Or just simply park in the Rec Center parking lot. It was still open.
For the primary, there was heavy equipment blocking the Limerock St. entrance. for most of the day. While it is true that, if you are determined to vote you will manage, look at how much trouble people perceive voting to be that they turn in absentee ballots, or think that showing proof of identity is too much to ask. As to parking on Beech St., that might be apparent to those who live in the immediate area, but many do not. There could have been signage. This is not to excuse the low numbers.
Union Street was open to traffic, albeit down to one lane. I’ll grant that the construction kept some from voting, but likely not many. This was a primary election with little on the ballot – those who made the effort would not have been turned back by some construction.
First – I don’t understand pressing so hard in the conviction that there was no access problem, when, most definitely, it is an issue taken on on other levels. Secondly – Limerock had a road closed sign and there was large, heavy equipment right at the entrance to that parking lot, along with a cement berm.
People, and elderly people with canes, were climbing over the berm, and having to go around it. In cases that I saw, this happened frequently with people who had been dropped off to vote by someone who was then looking for a place to park. Union Street, as far as anyone could tell, was not accessible. I had difficulty myself.
I spoke to the site supervisor who told me that he had, on his own, moved the equipment, etc., early in the day so that there could be access, but was told by the city to put it back. I contacted the city with this information, and, subsequently, the area was cleared again. Now, you tell me; although I don’t know why you would want to keep on with this.
As a poll worker, I can say that it was DIFFICULT for seniors and handicapped people to get in to vote. Not impossible, but not easy. “All people had to do was to park on Beech, walk across the library pathway and enter the back of the rec center” ??? It was hard to do for many. And if you were in a wheelchair, forget it. Your definition of easy is not for some. Just sayin’
Are we sure he doesn’t vote both, he is after all a Republican and it seems all the real voter fraud has pointed toward them.
To End this problem,all we need to do is not vote for him………………………
True, but it is a shame that then there would not be a genuine contested election. Not a good thing.
Better: write in Raye, if he is the better choice.
NOT voting for someone does not get you who you want/need. You must actively vote FOR the person you want. Raye should start up a write-in campaign at this point.
I’m completely in favor of following the rules – except when I don’t want to.
Yo – Charlie Webstah.
Got yer election fraud here.
Make him show photo ID as proof of residency.
Throw the GOP out this November.
Yessah
Sec of State Charlie Summers may want to check and see if Mank voted in Rockland this past June.
I think anyone can check to see who voted in what district.
Comment withdrawn.
“I’m fed up!” No doubt. I hope the voters are fed up with Mr. Mank’s obvious lies, which have now surrounded him so completely he cannot find his way clear. Not to mention that he will hide behind his wife’s injury. What a man.
Dear Mr. Mank:
It doesn’t matter that you grew up there. I grew up there. I currently reside in California. Rockland will always be home, but it is not currently my residence. Nor is it yours. It has not been for more than a decade. It doesn’t matter if you went to school there. It doesn’t matter if you own property there. The fact is, you DO NOT currently reside there, you are not a current resident of Rockland and will not be until you physically move your home from your place of residence in Rockport and take up full time occupancy in Rockland. Refusing to talk about it any more is akin to a little boy who is not getting his way and decides to hold his breath until he does. I have to tell you, sir, were I a current resident of Rockland, I would refuse to vote for you simply because I expect a certain level of maturity from the representatives I vote for. What is essentially your temper tantrum at others recognizing the truth of your actual residency does not lend itself to that level. We simply don’t need another spoilt child in authority. This country has got enough problems right now. You shouldn’t need to drop out. The law is the law. Your name should have been stricken as soon as the discrepancy was discovered, and perhaps an investigation made into where you have been voting for the last decade or so. There are some laws about that as well. Concentrate on your wife, sir. Concede your error. Move back to Rockland, if that is your plan, and file to run again when you have actually established the required residency there.
Gordon Mank needs to live where he lives and run for election there. We do not need this kind of carpetbagging in 2012. Of course the “he will answer no more questions about…” is SO republican. If he thinks that plays well here in Maine, and especially in district 47, he needs to think again.
I know it’s small town, small time politics. But it seems even small time politicians learn quickly how to milk the system. I know the politician in question, and he’s a nice guy. But this is ridiculous. He hasn’t lived in Rockland for a long time. It doesn’t matter if he went to school there, or stayed in his parent’s house. He’s not a Rockland resident…period. He bought a house (actually his father probably transfered the title to him) on August 31st. Geez….this is like Washington DC, but this time the media actually did their job and reported it.