AUGUSTA (AP) — GOP Gov. Paul LePage has nominated former Democratic lawmaker Barry Hobbins to serve as public advocate, a position that represents the interests of Maine ratepayers in electricity and natural gas prices and other proceedings before the state Public Utilities Commission.

The position also supports residents on matters related to telecommunications, including accessibility to broadband internet.

Hobbins, of Saco, is a lawyer who has concentrated in telecommunications law, real estate, municipal and administrative law, land use planning, business and corporate law, criminal and family law.

He was elected in 1972 as the youngest member of the 106th Maine Legislature. He also served in the 114th Legislature, then the 122nd through 125th Legislatures.

Barry Hobbins