UPDATE: The election of new Bangor City Councilor Angela Walker has sparked significant outrage from right-wing media, yet support from her local community remains unwavering. Walker, who was elected just last week, has a documented criminal history that includes a 2003 manslaughter conviction, which has led to intense scrutiny from national outlets like the New York Post and Fox News.
Despite this backlash, local sentiment in Bangor is decidedly different. More than 2,000 residents cast their votes for Walker, who was one of three new councilors chosen from a competitive candidate pool. Local council chair Susan Hawes emphasized that the information being aired by external media sources is already well-known to Bangor residents. “These three people were voted by the citizens,” she remarked, defending the election results.
Walker, formerly known as Angela Humphrey, and her brother were convicted for their involvement in the death of Derek Rogers following a violent altercation. Details from the 2003 incident reveal that Rogers was found severely beaten and suffocated with sand after allegedly using a derogatory term towards Walker. However, Walker has expressed her commitment to recovery and serving her community. “I want people to see that it’s possible that we can change,” she stated in a previous interview.
As the peer services coordinator for the Bangor Area Recovery Network, Walker aims to leverage her life experiences to advocate for the city’s most vulnerable populations amid ongoing crises in homelessness and addiction. She remains unenrolled in any political party, focusing instead on community service.
Local councilors are rallying around Walker, viewing her election as a testament to personal growth and redemption. Susan Faloon, another newly sworn-in councilor, asserted, “We have a justice system for a reason, and it did what it was designed to do. She did her time.”
The backlash has even drawn commentary from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who questioned the situation on social media after a post by the right-wing account “Libs of TikTok.” Councilor Joe Leonard criticized Cruz’s remarks, suggesting that he should concentrate on his own constituents instead of meddling in Bangor’s affairs.
Local recovery advocates, including Doug Dunbar of the Penobscot County Cares coalition, have voiced strong support for Walker, highlighting her lived experiences as invaluable during a time when the city faces significant challenges related to addiction and mental health. “We probably couldn’t have a better person… at this moment in time,” Dunbar stated.
Even those who did not support Walker are dismissing the backlash as irrelevant. A longtime Bangor resident, who chose to remain anonymous, remarked, “She was elected, so that’s the way it works.”
The situation continues to develop, with residents and council members calling for a focus on the future rather than the past. As the city navigates its current crises, Walker’s role could prove pivotal in addressing the pressing needs of the community.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
