Maine GOP congressional primary heats up over Saudi link

Associated Press
Updated ·1 min read

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Two candidates vying for the Republican nomination in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District are sparring over the ties one has to a registered foreign agent of the government of Saudi Arabia.

The Intercept news site on Saturday published an article on a Maine operative who is a registered agent for Saudi Arabia and the owner of a Republican consulting firm that employs former state Rep. Dale Crafts' campaign manager, the Bangor Daily News reported.

One of Crafts' opponents in Tuesday's primary, former state Sen. Eric Brakey, called on Crafts to sever ties with the firm and on Twitter questioned whether Crafts “will put American interests first” if elected.

Keith Herrick, Crafts’ campaign manager, said “this is nothing more than a desperate attack at the last minute to tie in a false narrative.”

Kathie Summers-Grice, the CEO of Eaton River Strategies, is paid $10,000 per month to advocate for the Saudi Arabian monarchy through a contract with an Iowa firm, according to federal filings.

Crafts’ 2020 campaign has paid Eaton River $35,000 for mail and consulting services, according to filings.

Adrienne Bennett is also running in the primary.