PRESQUE ISLE, ME — The fire burning in Aroostook County Democrats might help melt the snow still sticking to the ground.
Last Wednesday’s Democratic Town Hall session at Northern Maine Community College was a glimpse at the energy building in progressives after last November’s election.
Local Democrats had the opportunity to have their voices heard last week in front of Senators Mike Carpenter, Troy Jackson and Representative David McCrea as well as other members and volunteers of the Maine Democratic Party.
“There’s a ton of grass roots energy out there after the election in November and we are working to tap into that and really energize folks who are ready to make a difference in politics,” Katie Simpson, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, said.
A three-hour discussion on budget issues, education funding, frustrations with Augusta and Washington and improving communication among Maine Democrats came to a rolling boil as party members focused on solutions to put Maine Dems back on top.
“There’s a lot of soul searching going on, a lot of frustration, a lot of energy with regard to two years from now, four years from now and I think there’s a recognition that if people get involved they can make a difference,” Carpenter said.
Wednesday’s forum also provided a safe space to vent frustrations on the outcome of the 2016 election.
“I want to provide them space to be heard so that they go away from that interaction feeling like the Democratic Party heard their concerns so that we can then move forward together after that,” Simpson said.
Attendees were left with homework and a call to action at the end of the session. Dems were urged to participate in future county committee meetings as each county has a volunteer-led committee that meets monthly and also to nominate someone to run for local office.
“We have a new program called Run Local where we’re recruiting and training candidates to run for super local offices like school board and town council, planning board etc.,” Simpson said.
