It may only be the summer, but both the Lincoln County Republican and Democratic camps are ramping up campaign efforts in the last few months leading up to the midterm elections in November. Each side is claiming to have the organizational strength necessary for victory in the fall. Though most political analysts are predicting Republican gains, the Democrats believe their slate of candidates will perform well at both the local and state level.
Rebounding from a series of devastating losses in 2008, in which they lost the White House and several seats in both the national and state legislatures, the Republican Party feels refreshed and energized. According to Lincoln County Chairman Jim Carlton, identification with the GOP has increased immensely over the last year.
“There are people wouldn’t have said the word ‘Republican’ two years ago that are now saying ‘I’m proud to be a Republican,” Carlton said.
Carlton believes that much of the energy comes from a general antipathy toward the Democrats’ economic policies and dissatisfaction with a perceived expansion of federal government. The feeling in the Republican camp, he claims, is a complete departure from the bruised and battered GOP of 2008.
“It’s no comparison between [now] and two years ago,” Carlton said. He said that many conservatives believe that this is their “last best chance” to change both the political direction in Maine and nationwide.
The Lincoln County Republican Party has been rebuilding its campaign infrastructure for well over a year now. The Damariscotta Republican Committee began organizing in early May 2009. According to Carlton, there is a collective sense of urgency among members of the party.
This urgency, perhaps, has translated into a well disciplined organizational and publicity machine. At a Lincoln County Republican event July 28, in which Congressional candidate Dean Scontras dropped in to greet supporters, leaders from other county parties stopped by to review campaign strategies with the Lincoln County Republicans.
“We have counties teaching counties, towns teaching towns,” said Carlton.
Media coverage has also been a big part of Lincoln County Republicans’ campaign efforts: the internet, used to great effect by the Obama campaign in 2008, has been readily adopted as a useful publicity tool. Advertisements and regular phone calls to local newspapers complete the media blitz.
There is a palpable sense of confidence throughout the Republican camp.
“We have the energy and [the Democrats] don’t,” said Carlton.
While they recognize the excitement within the GOP, Lincoln County Democrats for their part are confident in their current organizational structure and with the knowledge they gained from their impressive victory in 2008.
The Democrats believe at this stage in the campaign season that they are fully prepared to make gains in November. Lincoln County Democratic Chairman Bill Williamson noted that the number of registered Democrats in Lincoln County has grown, and continues to grow, significantly.
According to Williamson, the Democrats have a particular eye on House District 53, currently held by Les Fossel (R-Alna), and Senate District 20, currently held by David Trahan (R-Waldoboro). The Democrats believe Chris Johnson has an excellent chance at taking Trahan’s Senate seat.
Bud Lewis, the Campaign Coordinator for the Lincoln County Democratic Committee, believes the Democrats are campaigning where it counts: talking about local issues door to door.
“People aren’t really focused on political campaigns in the summer,” said Lewis. Based on past campaign experience, Lewis said going for large scale media coverage doesn’t make sense during the summer months.
It is undisputed, however, that the Democrats lag behind the Republicans in two areas: a headquarters for the county party and an updated website. The current Lincoln County Democratic Party website still makes reference to 2008. According to Williamson, the Democrats are currently looking at a few locations for their headquarters and intend to set up shop in mid-August. The website, he says, will be updated in the next few weeks.
Both Lewis and Williamson say their candidates are working relentlessly and will taste victory in November.
“We’re not resting on our hands, “said Williamson, “The energy is there.”
