ICYMI Video of the November 16 Meeting with a Presentation on Dark Money in Politics

Our November meeting featured a talk by Maurice T. Cunningham, Ph.D., J.D., author of Dark Money and the Politics of School Privatization, entitled “Fighting Right-Wing Extremist Groups Like Moms for Liberty in 2024” (see video below). Committee Business included minutes approval, a treasurer’s report, other announcements (see below), and we voted in new members. Note: the business portions of the meeting are not included in the video.

Find the presenter slides here. Note that they are more meaningful if you have watched the talk.

Links to papers by Maurice T. Cunningham:
–Pulling Back the Curtain on the Leadership Institute’s Dominion Over Moms for Liberty
–Merchants of Deception: Pulling Back the Curtain on Parent Groups and Their Funders
-A Citizens Guide to School Privatization

Also helpful is this playbook by Alyssa Bowen of TrueNorth Research: The Disinformation Playbook: Targeting Our Public Schools and Elections

Note that in 2024, our January 25, February 22 and March (4th Thursday of the month) meetings will be Zoom only. On January 25, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will speak about upcoming changes to election procedures. On February 22, we’ll have a Campaign Preview, featuring candidates and MDP state party chair Bev Uhlenhake along with a Caucus recap.

Announcements Shared During the Meeting

Congratulations to Ina Demers of Wiscasset, who was recently elected vice chair of the Maine Democratic Party’s DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Committee and to Cathy Bennigson of Jefferson, who was recently elected vice chair of the Maine State Democratic Convention Credentials Committee!

Please consider contributing what you can during our final LCDC fundraising effort in 2023: https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/25for24

The Outreach Team announced a Community Education Event on Gun Safety Advocacy will be held on November 29, 6-8 PM, at the Damariscotta American Legion on Main St.

Municipal Leaders will be invited to MDP Caucus training events in December.
Caucuses will be held the first weekend in February.