Boothbay Region Democrats Hold 2020 Election Kick-Off Meeting | February 9, 2020

BOOTHBAY, Maine, February 15, 2020 – An enthusiastic crowd of 40 Democrats gathered at the 2020 Election Kick-Off meeting on Feb. 9 at Ragsdale Studio in Boothbay. Attendees from Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Southport and Edgecomb heard presentations from Maine House Representatives Holly Stover (HD89) and Chloe Maxmin (HD88) as well as Geoff Bates, fundraising chair for the Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC). In addition, attendees learned about the very important election-year events coming next month: the Maine Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 3 and the Democratic Caucuses on Sunday, March 8.

Stover, of Boothbay, representing House District 89, described her first year as a member of the Maine Legislature and the many accomplishments of the Legislature working with Governor Janet Mills. Stover was a lead sponsor of a bill to ban single-use plastic bags at retail stores, which will take effect on Earth Day, April 22, 2020. Consumers and retail groups (including Reny’s!) have supported efforts to eliminate plastic bags as a common sense way to discourage wastefulness and prevent windswept plastic litter. Stover is also deeply involved with health and welfare issues for Maine families. She supports better funding for trade schools and community colleges, and has worked with local groups to improve transportation options for people who need rides that fall outside of the transportation opportunities provided by MaineCare. Stover will seek reelection in November to retain her seat in the House.

Maxmin, of Nobleboro, is the first Democrat ever elected to represent House District 88 in the Maine Legislature. A passionate climate activist for years, Maxmin sponsored the Green New Deal bill for Maine that has been influential in shaping the discussion of climate change in the state. She’s especially concerned about the needs of rural communities, which often feel left behind in the political process. Such issues as broadband access and transportation, as well as the economic impacts of climate change, are extremely important for residents of rural areas such as Lincoln County. In November, Maxmin seeks the Senate District 13 seat, a position currently held by Republican Minority Leader Dana Dow, of Waldoboro.

The LCDC is committed to bringing positive change and doing it with honesty and integrity. Bates, a member of the LCDC executive committee, spoke to the gathering to explain the organization’s relationship with the municipal Democratic committees of Lincoln County. LCDC serves as an “umbrella” organization that supports our regional candidates and town Democratic committees through such activities as coordinating volunteers for canvassing and phone banks.

LCDC will partner with Boothbay Region Democrats to host a Southwestern-Style Bean Supper on Saturday, March 21, at the American Legion Hall in Boothbay. This event will celebrate the culture of our neighbors to the south, and show support of our local Democratic organizations, with a simple supper and classical guitar performance by Mexican-born musician Jeffrey Rojo. FMI: cContact Bates at 207-644-8776 or gbbates@gmail.com.

One of the most important and animated discussions at the meeting centered around the upcoming Maine Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, March 3 and the Maine Democratic Caucuses on Sunday, March 8. Many attendees expressed some confusion about why Maine has both a Primary and a Caucus this spring. The short answer is that the Primary focuses on Presidential candidates, while the Caucus emphasizes local and state political business. It’s essential for Democrats to participate in BOTH of these political events! Here’s why:

Primary – Tuesday, March 3, at Town Polling Places

Last fall the Maine Legislature voted to change Maine back to a Presidential Primary state.

• The Presidential Primary will determine how Maine’s 24 Pledged National Delegate slots will be distributed among presidential primary candidates.
• A Presidential Primary is just like any other election. It is run by town clerks and the Maine Secretary of State, and takes place at official polling locations (usually at town offices).

Caucus – Sunday, March 8, at Boothbay Region High School, 2:00 PM (doors open at 1:00 PM)

Caucusing is required by state law even though we are also having a presidential primary. Why? Because the caucus is about a lot more than just voting for a presidential preference. Once every two years, Democrats meet in their towns and conduct a caucus to fill important positions at the town, county, and state levels. In addition to this important party business, caucuses are a chance to:

• Show strength and support for Democratic candidates
• Reconnect with Democratic neighbors
• Meet candidates running for local office
• Learn about ballot issues and sign petitions
• Activate and revitalize municipal committees
• And – most importantly – start organizing to WIN in November!

For more information about the Democratic Primary and Caucus, please see the Maine Democratic Party website: https://www.mainedems.org/caucus.

The town committees and LCDC request energetic involvement of the entire community to ensure that Maine stays Blue in this historic election year! For more information, please feel free to contact Paula Arsenault, chair of Boothbay Democratic Committee, at paulamragsdale@gmail.com or 207-380-7554 or Chris Johnson, LCDC chair, chair@lincolncountydemocrats.com.

Photos are courtesy of Bob Crink.