Buoyed by Sen. Chris Johnson’s surprise victory in a special election earlier in the month, Lincoln County Democrats expressed confidence in their chances going into November during the Democratic Party caucus Feb. 26.
“Chris Johnson has really energized people,” Ralph Hilton, an Alna Democrat and member of the RSU 12 Board of Directors, said. Hilton also attributed the enthusiasm to Governor LePage’s policies.
“LePage is helping the Democrats get back into driver’s seat,” he said.
“It’s a good time to being wearing blue,” Damariscotta attorney Peter Drum, said, referencing Johnson’s victory.
Receiving 54 percent of the vote, Johnson (D-Somerville) defeated District 50 Rep. Dana Dow (R-Waldoboro) in a special election Feb. 14 to claim the State Senate District 20 seat vacated by retiring Waldoboro Republican David Trahan.
Johnson received a standing ovation when he arrived at both the Wiscasset and Damariscotta caucus sites Feb. 26. In Wiscasset, Johnson mingled among caucus goers, answering questions from constituents and collecting signatures for his reelection bid this November.
Local caucus sites were also organized in Whitefield and Waldoboro.
Lincoln County Democratic Party Chair Valarie Johnson estimated the turnout of all caucuses to be between 150 and 165 people.
Just over a dozen people attended a caucus at Wiscasset Middle School, the primary caucus site for Democrats from Wiscasset, Westport Island, Dresden, and Alna.
Hilton played down the small turnout.
“We have our guy, the President for the next four years,” he said.
In contrast to the Maine Republican presidential caucus, which sported a tight two-man race between Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul, the Democratic caucus had only one candidate, President Barack Obama.
Perceived weaknesses in the Republican presidential field translated into confidence among many Democrats Sunday.
“Obama is talking about jobs, while the GOP is talking about whether women should have access to birth control,” said one Democrat speaker in Damariscotta.
June Phillips, of Boothbay Harbor, a proud Democrat since John F. Kennedy, said she thought President Obama had “wonderful chance” of being reelected.
“He’s done a great job and worked hard,” Phillips said. “It’s a shame his work is being stymied at the Congressional level.”
In Damariscotta, nearly 100 people participated at Great Salt Bay School, the caucus site for Democrats from Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bristol, and South Bristol, Bremen, Nobleboro and Southport.
While this year’s caucuses did not feature a close presidential primary race, it did offer a sneak preview of the Democrat list of legislative candidates.
Joel Pitcher, an Army veteran from Jefferson, will seek the House District 50 seat currently held by Dow.
“People need a working person representing them,” said Pitcher, a BIW employee and union member. “Governor LePage has made a point of attacking working people.”
Mick Devin, a Commander in the Navy Reserve and a scientist at the Darling Center, will run for House District 51, the seat being vacated by Newcastle Republican Jon McKane, who is prevented from running again due to term limits.
“We need leaders who are empathetic, who are employed locally, and who know the concerns of local people,” Devin said before the Damariscotta caucus.
Tim Marks, a 25-year state trooper from Pittston, will be vying for the House District 53 seat currently held by Rep. Les Fossel (R-Alna).
Marks said he would bring his experience helping people and resolving problems as a state trooper to the legislature.
Marks has also been a high-speed pursuit instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and a weekly contributor on 92 Moose as “Trooper Tim.”
In a rematch from the 2010 election, former state representative Lisa Miller will challenge Rep. Deb Sanderson (R-Chelsea) for House District 52 seat. Sanderson, then a political newcomer, upset Miller, then a three-term incumbent, two years ago.
House District 61 Rep. Bruce MacDonald, (D-Boothbay) Senate District 19 Sen. Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) and Sen. Johnson have all signaled their intent to reelection.
Mary Trescot, Executive Director of Youth Promise, a non-profit that assists young people entering the juvenile justice system, will be running against Sheridan Bond (R-Jefferson) for the District 1 County Commissioner seat.
“Straight up and down the ticket we have exciting candidates,” Drum, who served as the moderator for the Damariscotta caucus. “People are excited for Obama’s reelection.”
