MPA endorses five women in legislative primary races
Across Maine, local primary campaigns are heating up as citizens–incumbents as well as political newcomers–are vying for the support of their parties ahead of the general election in November.
Highlighting a few candidates “who will truly represent the people they serve,” the Maine People’s Alliance’s political action committee, MPA Campaign Vote!, has endorsed six candidates in contested races.
Notably, all the candidates endorsed by MPA Campaign Vote! are women and running using Clean Eelections, Maine’s system of public campaign financing.
They include Michele Meyer, who is running for House District 2 representing Eliot as well as parts of Kittery and South Berwick. A registered nurse who also helps operate her family’s organic farm, Meyer is also the former chair of the Eliot Democratic Committee.
In the race for House District 13 in Old Orchard Beach, Lori Gramlich, a social worker and small business owner, says she wants to “use her skills and expertise to be an effective voice for her community.”
Incumbent Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, who currently holds the House District 40 seat representing parts of Portland, is seeking another term with MPA’s backing. The head of the Portland NAACP, Talbot Ross sits on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committees, where she says she has led reforms on criminal justice issues and “our substance use crisis,” among other things.
Recent Harvard graduate Chloe Maxmin is running for House District 88, which includes Jefferson, Whitefield, Chelsea, as well as part of Nobleboro. Maxmin, an experienced organizer, says she was inspired to run because “we need politicians who will fight for young people, for our aging neighbors, for farmers, fishermen, and all those who love Maine and believe in a better future.”
MPA Campaign Vote! is also backing Jan Collins in the race for Senate District 17, which covers Franklin County, including Wilton. Among other legislative priorities, Collins says she will focus on funding education, Medicaid expansion, environmental protection, and restoring “transparency and civility to government.”
“At a time when Republican legislators are refusing to do their jobs at all and when far too many lawmakers are seeking to roll back progressive changes passed by voters through referendums, it’s important that we elect leaders who will truly represent the people they serve,” said MPA executive director Jesse Graham.
“Each of these candidates,” he continued, “has shown they will work hard and stand strong on issues like addressing climate change, expanding access to health care, helping seniors and Mainers with disabilities stay in their homes, raising wages and guaranteeing access to paid time off for every Maine worker.”
All candidates were interviewed by MPA activists in their local areas, with final endorsements made by the organization’s volunteer board.
Endorsed candidates, from left to right, Michele Meyer, Lori Gramlich, Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, Jan Collins, Chloe Maxmin.
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