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Lindlof to manage LePage’s finances

Head of Chamber joins GOP candidate for governor’s team

By Scott Monroe smonroe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

WATERVILLE — Waterville Mayor Paul LePage hopes to raise $1 million in his bid to become the next governor of Maine.

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Kimberly Lindof

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The political action committee of Mitt Romney, “Free and Strong America PAC,” said in a statement Monday it had endorsed LePage in the governor’s race. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and is believed by political observers to be mulling another run for the 2012 election. Along with the endorsement, Romney’s political committee said it would send a maximum $750 contribution toward LePage’s campaign.

And to do that, the Republican candidate has tapped the longtime president and chief executive officer of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.

Kimberly Lindlof said Monday she is taking a four-month leave of absence to become finance director for LePage’s gubernatorial campaign. Her leave, which is unpaid, will begin Thursday, and she has pledged to return to her job at the chamber after the election, by Nov. 8 at the latest.

Earlier this month, LePage handily won a seven-way primary to become the Republican nominee for governor. He faces three independents who are privately financed — Eliot Cutler, Shawn Moody and Kevin Scott — and Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell, the Democratic nominee, who is participating in the state’s public-financing program.

Lindlof, 41, of Fairfield, said she would be in charge of organizing fundraising events for LePage’s privately financed campaign. LePage’s goal is to raise $1 million for the general election, “so I guess that’s my goal, too,” she said.

Lindlof said she’s never participated in politics before, but she joined LePage’s campaign because she believes the Republican candidate would do the best job of “strengthening of our job base and business climate” and “creating a place where opportunity exists for our children.”

“It’s fiscal responsibility and spending reform and creating a business-friendly environment, as opposed to the ‘gotcha’ mentality that exists now, with new regulations and taxation,” Lindlof said in an interview Monday.

Lindlof said her decision to join the campaign involved “a great deal of thought” and hinged on her receiving approval from the chamber’s board of directors to take a leave of absence.

During that time, Lindlof said the chamber’s office will be run by program assistant Katie Hoskins and marketing representative Danielle Chaput, and overseen by the board.

The chamber will also in the coming months be moving its offices and welcome center two blocks, into a new building it has purchased at 50 Elm St.

Lindlof, in an e-mail to members, said she’s not concerned about either the move or the chamber’s activities during her absence.

Lindlof graduated from Thomas College with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management. She joined the chamber in 1994 as a membership and marketing representative, left for a time to pursue a career in advertising sales, and then returned in 2001 when she became the chamber’s president and chief executive officer.

The chamber has more than 550 members, according to its website.

Lindlof said she has known LePage and his wife, Ann, for several decades, going back to when LePage worked as a consultant in the city.

In a statement, LePage said he was thrilled to hire Lindlof “as we take the next steps toward building a strong fundraising infrastructure.”

“Kim has (a) remarkable record of success at the chamber and I know that she will help me deliver my message of new jobs and economic growth for Maine,” LePage said.

Scott Monroe — 861-9253
smonroe@centralmaine.com