Final Forum Showcases Strong Democratic Candidates

The fifth and final public forum for candidates in Lincoln County running for legislative and county offices was held Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro.

Throughout the forums, candidates fielded questions about a range of issues, including the economy and economic development, education, health care, climate change, the affordable housing crisis, worker shortages, housing for seniors, regulatory challenges facing the lobster industry and supporting farmers whose land has been contaminated by toxic forever chemicals knows as PFAS.

“Time after time, Democratic candidates showed their knowledge on the issues and how their conversations with thousands of voters across Lincoln County have shaped the policies they would advocate for in state and county office,” said Kelli Whitlock Burton, Lincoln County Democratic Committee vice chair and campaign leader. “Our candidates have a broad mix of backgrounds in education, the lobster industry, mental health care, medicine, economic development and community service and they will represent Lincoln County residents well when they are elected on Nov. 8.”

The Lincoln County News hosted four forums between September 29 and October 13 and Lincoln County Television hosted a forum October 18. Find links to recordings and a list of participants below.

Thursday, September 29
Wiscasset Town Office
Hosted by the Lincoln County News
Watch a recording>>
Participating candidates:

Maine Senate District 24: Sen. Eloise Vitelli (D, incumbent) and Matthew R. Brackley (R)
Maine House District 47: Leslie Fossel Jr. (I), Evan Goodkowsky (I), Edward Polewarczyk (R)
Maine House District 53: Rep. Michael Lemelin (R, incumbent) and Jane Beckwith (D)

Monday, October 3
Boothbay American Legion
Hosted by the Lincoln County News and Boothbay Register
Watch a recording>>
Participating candidates:

Maine House District 48: Rep. Holly Stover (D, incumbent) and Tricia Warren (R)
Maine Senate District 13: Cameron Reny (D) and Abden Simmons (R)

Thursday, October 6
Waldoboro Town Office
Hosted by the Lincoln County News
Watch a recording>>
Participating candidates:

Lincoln County Commissioner, District 2: County Commissioner William Blodgett (D, incumbent) and Henry Simmons (R)
Maine House District 62: Lindsey Harwath (I), Katrina J. Smith (R) and Pamela J. Swift (D)

Thursday, October 13
Great Salt Bay Community School, Damariscotta
Hosted by the Lincoln County News
Watch a recording>>
Participating candidates:

Maine House District 45: Clinton Collamore Sr. (D) and Lynn J. Madison (R)
Maine House District 46: Rep. Lydia Crafts (D, incumbent) and Merle James Parise II (R)
Maine Senate District 13: Cameron D. Reny (D) and Abden Simmons (R)

Tuesday, October 18
Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro
Hosted by Lincoln County Television
Watch a recording>>
Participating candidates:

Maine State Senate District 13: Cameron Reny (D) and Abden Simmons (R)
Maine House District 45: Clinton Collamore Sr. (D) (Republican Lynn Madison declined to participate)
Maine House District 46: Rep. Lydia Crafts (D, incumbent) and Merle Parise (R)
Maine House District 47: Leslie Fossel (I), Evan Goodkowsky (I) and Edward Polewarczyk (R)
Maine House District 48: Rep. Holly Stover (D, incumbent) and Tricia Warren (R)