The process is underway to fill the vacancy left on the Waldo County Commission after commissioner Betty Johnson died Tuesday.
Under state law, Gov. Janet Mills will appoint her replacement. Since Johnson was a Democrat, the Waldo County Democratic Committee will recommend up to three candidates for her consideration, though Mills is not required to appoint one of its recommendations.
Waldo County is currently facing a budget crisis. The vacancy is not expected to directly affect the budget negotiations, said Bob Kurek, the chair of the county budget committee.
Any Democrat from Johnson’s district — made up of the municipalities of Belfast, Belmont, Islesboro, Lincolnville, Northport and Waldo — is eligible to stand as candidate. In a notice sent this week to members, the Waldo County Democratic Committee asked anyone interested to submit a cover letter and a resume by Jan. 14.
On Jan. 18, the committee will hold a public Zoom meeting where candidates can speak and answer questions. Immediately afterward, committee members will go into a closed session where they will vote on up to three candidates to recommend to the governor.
Whomever is appointed by Mills to fill the seat will serve on an interim basis until the next election in November when voters will elect a new commissioner to serve a four-year term.
Late last year, county commissioners proposed a budget that amounted to a 36% increase, which added up to $17.4 million.
Amid public outcry, the county budget committee — has final say in approving the budget — met on Dec. 12 and declined to vote on the commissioners’ proposal. The budget committee was scheduled to meet on Jan. 9 to discuss next steps but postponed the meeting until Jan. 16.
S. Paige Zeigler, chair of the Waldo County Democratic Committee, said that an ideal candidate, from his perspective, would be someone who has experience dealing with budgets and a background in town or county politics.
He’d also like to see someone who can navigate the sometimes “contentious” realm of local politics.
“I would also like to see somebody who believes not in transactional relationships, but in relationships that serve the common good,” he said.