By Molly Lovell
Staff Writer

Charlie Summers, candidate for Congress in Maine’s First District, has only been home for three weeks since returning from a tour in Iraq, but his schedule is already busy with interviews and events designed to spread the word about his goals to Maine residents.
    Summers, a Republican, is running in the upcoming primary against Dean Scontras.
    Summers, a Scarborough resident, was called to active duty in May 2007 and spent nine and a half months overseas as a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve. He was assigned to the communications division of the strategic effects directorate, Multi National Forces in Iraq.
    While overseas, Summers and colleagues planned media trips to various locations, often flying all night and in “erratic” patterns so enemies wouldn’t be able to anticipate their movements. Carrying 80 pounds of gear, some days lasted 14 hours.
    “I’ll never complain about an airport again,” he said.
    Summers said working with the media was a good experience and said they developed a mutual respect. It was his responsibility to make sure journalists had information, good and bad, to gain an accurate portrayal of the situation.
    Summers said he came under indirect fire from mortars while in Iraq.
    “Winston Churchill said, ‘There is nothing more exhilarating than being shot at without result,’ and he was right,” Summers said.
    Summers said violence and tension has decreased in Iraq since Gen. David Petraeus was appointed commanding general of the Multi National Force in Iraq.
    “You’re able to walk down the street and see children playing,” he said of a trip to Fallujah.
    He also said a women’s business development center was established, a sign the situation is improving.
    While Summers said he has observed improvement, he thinks American forces should limit occupation to another 12 to 18 months in order to continue to train Iraqi special forces so they can “step up and take control,” he said.
    Summers said once Iraqi police are able to take control, he thinks American forces should pull back and occupy two strategic locations and increase diplomatic efforts.
    Once that is achieved he believes there should be a surge of volunteers and soldiers to help with peace efforts, similar to what the Peace Corps does.
    “Once we can get that structure, the change in Iraq will come from the bottom up,” he said.
    Summers recalls sitting in Fallujah city council chambers with nearly 50 sheiks.
    “Arguments were not about security, they were about building schools,” he said, adding, “Iraqis are no different than anyone else.”
    Before leaving for Iraq Summers served as the New England Regional Administrator to the United States Small Business Administration. He managed SBA District Offices in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. There, he oversaw financing, marketing and outreach efforts.
    His business experience began when his family entered the hotel business. Summers was the assistant manager at the Bangor Motor Inn for four and a half years. Eventually he traveled south and worked at the South Portland Motor Inn, now the Days Inn. Later he opened a convenience store next to the Maine Energy Recovery Company in Biddeford, before selling it after a year and a half.
    His political career began in 1990 when he was elected to Senate District 31 (Saco, Biddeford, Dayton, Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach).
    In 1995, Sen. Olympia Snowe chose Summers to serve as her state director. He served as advisor and advocate for residents who needed help navigating federal agencies.
    He said these experiences have reinforced his knowledge of the political process.
    “People expect solutions and to move the process forward in a positive manner,” he said.
    If elected, he said his top priority is energy.
    “The government needs to do things to enable people to be good stewards to the environment,” he said.
    He supports suspending the gas tax to bring some relief to farmers, but said the U.S. should be looking further ahead.
    Summers supports establishing oil refineries within the U.S. He also supports electric vehicles, but believes the expense is too much and pay back too long for the average person.
    “It doesn’t make good economic sense,” he said, suggesting interest on a loan for such a vehicle should be 100 percent deductible.
    He said something needs to be done to help small businesses get strong health care plans for employees. He suggests forming an association to offer them group discounts. He also thinks the cost of health care should be 100 percent deductible for everyone.
    “If you do that, it will drive the cost down,” he said.
    Summers said his service in Iraq probably evokes a “kinship” among Maine residents.
    “I think, across the state almost everyone knows someone [who has served]. I just did what I signed up to do. I don’t need any special recognition,” he said, encouraging those who are not serving in the military to support troops with care packages and cards.
    “It makes you smile. I hope everyone does it,” he said.
    While Summers was in Iraq his wife, Ruth Summers, campaigned for him.
    “She worked harder for me than I could have possibly expected,” he said, adding, “At debates, people look at me and are like, “Where’s Ruth?’”
    He also said she’s done what every military spouse does: give support.
    “Our situation was just more public,” he said.
    If elected, he said it’s possible, but not probable he will be asked to return to Iraq because he may be considered a target for enemies, jeopardizing others.