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Maine Democratic Convention Kicks Off in Lewiston

Steve Mistler
/
Maine Public
Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett kicks off the state convention Friday at the Colisee in Lewiston. Democrats hope the unity event will energize activists in efforts to win key congressional, legislative and gubernatorial contests.

Maine Democrats are in Lewiston this weekend for a state convention that the party hopes will energize activists for the upcoming elections. 

The event comes as Democrats hope to recover from a devastating 2016 election in which Donald Trump snatched one of Maine's four electoral votes and state Republicans increased their numbers in the state Legislature. While Democrats were able to hold the state House of Representatives, its majority was slim enough that Republicans teamed with Gov. Paul LePage to defeat most progressive initiatives and rollback or significantly alter several ballot initiatives enacted by voters.

The term-limited LePage departs at the end of the year, but the Republicans vying to replace him are vowing to continue his stridently conservative agenda. State Democrats hope the governor's controversial tenure can help them take the governor's mansion while picking up seats in the Legislature, but running against LePage has previously delivered mixed results.

National Democrats are also hoping President Trump's chaotic and controversy-laden first 17 months in office will produce majorities in Congress. The latter is expected to bring big spending by outside groups to flip the 2nd Congressional District seat, a swing district that has gone to Republicans and Democrats over the past 20 years.

The convention kicked off Friday with several speeches from the three Democrats competing for the right to take on 2nd District Republican congressperson Bruce Poliquin.

Among them is Islesboro resident Craig Olson, a former selectman and antique bookseller.

"What really got me fired up and got me going in this race was people trying to eviscerate the Affordable Care Act, which benefitted my family," Olson said.

Lucas St. Clair is also vying for the 2nd District spot. St. Clair is perhaps best known for helping to establish the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. He said the monument has brought optimism to the Millinocket region, but 2nd district voters still have concerns.

"Health care, social security, Medicare are the things that keep coming up time and time again,” he said. “And we want to make sure we take a real clear voice to Washington to say we're going to stick up for those things.”

Jared Golden is also seeking the nomination. Golden is a state legislator and Marine veteran who hoped to win over convention attendees.

"It's letting them know whose side I'm going to be on, that I'm going to be fighting for working people, pushing back against big companies, corporations, special interests, dark money in politics, these types of things," Golden said.

Zak Ringlestein a Democrat hoping to unseat independent U.S. Sen. Angus King, also spoke at the event.

The convention continues Saturday with a debate over the party platform and speeches from the six candidates running for governor.

Journalist Steve Mistler is Maine Public’s chief politics and government correspondent. He is based at the State House.