Mason’s work on the panel during the last legislative session “was especially noteworthy, and I have no doubt he will be a tremendous asset to the committee,” Senate President Michael Thibodeau, R-Waldo, said in a news release.

 

Mason said he has “always believed that caring for our veterans needs to be one of our top priorities as lawmakers. It is also crucial to ensure that our elections are carried out in an orderly, transparent manner.”

 

Mason said the panel has “a very wide-ranging area of responsibility over issues that affect all Mainers.”

 

The committee is responsible for overseeing veterans’ programs and the Maine National Guard, as well as state liquor and gaming operations. It also has oversight of voter registration and elections.

 

The lawmaker said caring for veterans “needs to be one of our top priorities.”

 

“It is also crucial to ensure that our elections are carried out in an orderly, transparent manner,” Mason said.

 

Thibodeau said he has confidence in Mason. He said the senator, who can’t seek re-election in 2018 because of term limits, “has distinguished himself as a fair, effective leader throughout his legislative career.”