Cumberland County Democrats

Open House Celebration – Friday, Sept. 9, 6 – 8.  Plenty of parking.  Good food, good company.

Call one the the staff coordinators:

Amanda Bennett (207-240-2495) covers mostly southern Cumberland County.

Kate Foye (207-841-5499) covers mostly northern Cumberland County.

At the CDCC meeting February 25th, we discussed a fundraising
process that has been used successfully in Hancock County.
The folks there use the recurring donation feature on ActBlue.
It is possible for towns without websites to work in tandem
with the CCDC, using our website to solicit contributions.

We asked for towns to volunteer - and Freeport and Scarborough
agreed to try it out at caucus time. The DONATE link above now
goes to the shared page. Let us know what you think.

Contributions can shared equally or split among the
towns as desired.

Both single and recurring donations are supported.

More details: Rachel Hendrickson and Bill Birthisel

DOORS time is when Voter Registration begins for those who need to register.

START is the time formal caucus activities begin.

For additional details, please contact the respective Convener or Bill Birthisel.

The Maine Caucuses are gatherings of neighbors in the New England tradition of town meetings. The Maine Democratic Party, with the help of local county and municipal committees, organizes caucuses by town.

Anyone who is eligible to vote in the State of Maine and will be at least 18 years of age on Election Day, November 8, 2016, may participate in caucuses.

You must be a Registered Democrat to participate.

If you are currently registered as a Green Independent or a Republican, you must re-register to vote with your town office and enroll in the Democratic Party by Friday February 19, 2016.

If you are currently unregistered or unenrolled in a political party (aka an independent), you may register/re-register at your municipal caucus on caucus day. The doors will open significantly before the actual business begins.

If you can’t attend in person, you may request an Absentee Ballot from the Maine Democratic Party. Absentees can request that they be considered for election as a Delegate or Alternate to the State Convention. Absentee ballots must be received in Augusta by Wednesday, March 2, 2016.

Cumberland County Democratic Committee Meeting: Feb. 25, 7:00pm, Cumberland Town Hall, 290 Tuttle Rd.

Special guest speaker: Senator Justin Alfond.  What will the 2016 Senate campaign look like in Cumberland County?  What’s at stake and what’s ahead?

Democratic senate candidates from Cumberland County have been invited to attend and give their one minute door speech. House candidates welcome as well.

Also on the agenda: Penny Joyce has resigned as the Treasurer of the CCDC.  Many thanks to Penny, who stepped in when needed.  Bill Birthisel, the CCDC Secretary, has taken on the role of Treasurer.  At this meeting, we will elect a new secretary to fill out the term until the elections in November.  Interested in running?  Come to the meeting.

Bill Birthisel will talk about a fundraising proposal, to ensure we have enough money to assist our municipal committees during the 2016 campaign.

And…we’ll finish up with up to date information on the Caucuses and answer any questions about the process.  With caucuses scheduled in every single town in Cumberland County, and 955 delegate seats from Cumberland at the Convention, we are in for an exciting few months.

Join Special guest the Hon. Mike Michaud and the Cumberland County Democratic Committee for a reception to support the 2016 grassroots campaign efforts in Cumberland County. Justin Alfond and Mark Eves will also speak.

With 7 Senate and 30 House campaigns in the county and dozens of municipal elections, it is critical that our Democratic city and town organizations in Cumberland County have the resources to lead the grassroots efforts to elect Democrats at every level.

From the Caucus in March, to the Convention in May, to the election in November, the Democrats in Cumberland County are at the center of state campaign activity in 2016.

Join us on Nov. 17  5:30 PM at Bayside Bowl ($30 Activist)

Other special guests to be announced.

The Hon. Mike Michaud is appearing as a special guest of the Cumberland County Democratic Committee. His participation at this event is not a solicitation for funds or attendance.

The Perkins-Mitchell Dinner will be held Friday, December 4th, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough. The renamed dinner will recognize two great Democratic leaders: Frances Perkins and Senator George Mitchell. Sen. Mitchell and Tomlin Perkins Coggeshall, the grandson of Frances Perkins, will both be in attendance. Buy tickets now!

“I am honored to be recognized by Maine Democrats and to share this unique tribute with Frances Perkins,” said Sen. George Mitchell.“My work in politics has always been driven by my love of Maine and making our state a better place for all. Our work continues as we look to increase economic opportunity, reduce poverty and build a better future for our children. I look forward to celebrating the Maine Democratic Party’s continued commitment to these ideals today.”

“The new name of the Maine Democratic Party’s annual dinner is an honor for the legacy of my grandmother, Frances Perkins,” said Coggeshall. “To have her recognized in this way and to be paired with Senator George Mitchell is a fitting choice for Maine Democrats. Both of these Democratic leaders with Maine roots fought for social justice and economic security for the working men and women of our country. Their careers took different paths, but they strived for the same goals, ‘the best possible life,’ as my grandmother put it, ‘for all.”

After soliciting responses from the public, the Maine Democratic Party’s Executive Committee selected the public’s top pick, the Perkins-Mitchell dinner, as the new name of the fall fundraising dinner. More than 500 people submitted their votes. The Maine Democratic Party moved to change the name of its annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner to better reflect the modern day values of the Party and its members.

“We couldn’t be more proud to honor the legacies of Frances Perkins and Senator George Mitchell at our fall gathering,” said Phil Bartlett, Chair of the Maine Democratic Party. “Perkins and Mitchell are the standard-bearers of the values we represent today. Perkins was a pioneer who fought for workers’ rights and economic opportunity for all, while Mitchell carved his niche as a peacemaker and dedicated public servant to the people of Maine. We look forward to celebrating their thoughtful leadership and unique contributions to our state and Party.”

Frances Perkins of Newcastle was the woman behind the New Deal, out of which the Democratic Party was reborn. When asked by newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve as his Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins made a list of her conditions for accepting the job on the back of an envelope: a minimum wage; a 40-hour work week; unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation; the abolition of child labor; Social Security. In FDR’s first 100 Days, Perkins was tasked with establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps and secured federal funding for the Nation Industrial Recovery Act to put Americans back to work.  In 1935 the Social Security Act was signed into law, and in 1938 the Fair Labor Standard Act established a minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, and banned child labor. Learn more at Francesperkinscenter.org

Sen. George Mitchell’s living legacy is that of a great American statesman and international peacemaker. As a Senator, in the heat of the Iran-Contra hearings, Mitchel famously reminded all of America that “Although He is regularly asked to do so, God does not take sides in American politics.” Born and raised in Waterville, Mitchell is a man so highly regarded and respected on the national and global stage, the was elected to Senate Majority Leader, asked by President Clinton to serve on the United States Supreme Court, appointed, tasked with brokering peace in Northern Ireland, and appointed Special Envoy for the Middle East by President Obama. He also established the Mitchell Institute, which provides scholarships to remove financial barriers for young Mainers to attend Maine colleges. More about his career at https://library.bowdoin.edu/

Lynn Olson is the Democratic nominee in the special election for Standish state representative for the seat being vacated by Michael Shaw. Voters in District 23 will choose between Olson and Republican Lester Ordway for the remainder of Shaw’s term, which runs until the end of 2016.

“It is an honor to be nominated to represent the people of Standish,” said Olson. “In my role as the Chair of the Standish Town Council, I have become very familiar with issues of Standish residents. It’s important that we have a representative who will advocate for our community and work across party lines to get things done. I look forward to talking to residents over the next two months and earning their votes.”

Olson is a small business owner and dedicated public servant who lives in the Standish area. She owns her own consulting firm, providing expertise to help grow area businesses. Previously she served as the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and worked for the Maine Community College system as their Chief Financial Officer, where she advocated for workplace development and was responsible for strategic budget planning.”

“I am thrilled that Lynn Olson is running to represent the Standish community in the legislature,” said Speaker of the House Mark Eves of North Berwick. “Lynn has dedicated her career to training workers, educating our kids and writing budgets. I can’t think of anybody better to help grow Maine’s economy and protect valuable taxpayer dollars. Lynn will be an excellent advocate for the residents of Standish.”

“I am very sad to be leaving the legislature, but I can’t think of anybody better to replace me than Lynn Olson,” said Mike Shaw, the former State Representative who stepped down last month after relocating his family. “She has an incredible commitment to the town of Standish and she understands the values of Standish residents.”

Olson will run as a Clean Elections candidate and will focus on a positive, grassroots campaign.

How to support Lynn

• Write a letter of support to the Lakes Region Weekly.
• “Like” Lynn’s campaign page on Facebook.
• Email MOlson1@maine.rr.com to volunteer!