Lincoln County Democratic candidates reported on the progress of their campaigns at the monthly meeting of county Democrats Oct. 24 at party campaign headquarters in Damariscotta. There are no publicly available polls of voters in the county to tell candidates how they are doing relative to their opponents, so the candidates are relying on feedback from knocking on doors. The candidates reported generally positive responses from the people they are meeting, but they made no predictions about the outcome of their races.

There also were lively discussions at the meeting on the referendum questions voters will weigh in on on Nov. 8, especially Question 1 on legalizing recreational marijuana sales and Question 3 on gun sale regulation. Expansion of Medicaid in Maine, as allowed under the Affordable Care Act, also was discussed, and it was pointed out that backers of expansion are beginning to collect voter signatures in support of placing an initiative on the issue on the November 2017 ballot.

The candidates in attendance were incumbent senator Chris Johnson, Senate District 13, Emily Trask-Eaton, candidate for House District 91 (Friendship, Union (part), Waldoboro and Washington), Wendy S. Ross, candidate for House District 87 (Alna, Pittston, Randolph and Wiscasset), Mary Trescot, unopposed incumbent candidate for Lincoln County Commissioner, and Jim Torbert, candidate for House District 88 (Chelsea, Jefferson, Nobleboro (part), and Whitefield).

The Lincoln County Democrats campaign office is located at 281 Main St. in Damariscotta, phone 563-1068. County party leaders are welcoming volunteers to help out in the final two weeks of the campaign.