The Lincoln County Republican Committee's April meeting demonstrated that the Republican Party is building on its 2014 election success with a strong plan for 2016. Highlighting the meeting were remarks by the Hon. Rick Bennett, Maine State GOP chairman, who led the resurgence of the Maine Republican Party for the 2014 elections.

Bennett started by acknowledging that the day was the 150th year anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln, the founder of the Republican Party. Bennett spoke of the beliefs of Lincoln that have made him one of our most revered presidents — that he represented the best aspirations of the American people. Today, said Bennett, these beliefs are still reflected in today's Republican core beliefs such as limited government, individual freedom and free markets.

Following the Republican's poor showing at the National and State level in the 2012 elections, Republicans turned their efforts toward turning things around for 2014. Bennett attributed their success in Maine in 2014 to finding good candidates for all state offices, the Democrats not fielding candidates for all seats, new generation data and digital programs, strong financial support from Sen. Susan Collins' campaign and the Republican Governors Association, and the great get-out-the vote by Republican volunteers throughout the state. Bennett noted that the Maine GOP won national recognition for its get-out-the vote effort.

The upcoming 2016 elections, said Bennett, will reflect a different political landscape, it being a presidential year with what is expected to be an intense presidential primary. Neither Senator Collins nor Governor LePage are on the ballot. Rep. Bruce Poliquin will be running for re-election to the US. House from Maine's Second District and an as-yet unnamed candidate for the First District. Rep. Poliquin raised a record amount of money in the first quarter for his re-election campaign. There will be a number of issues on the state ballot as well that are expected to draw a lot of attention.

Bennett said that, unlike the past, the Maine GOP is supporting a larger year-around staff. He introduced Rebecca Telegra as one of the two new field directors. Telegra headed up the local Republican Freedom '14 Center in Damariscotta last year. She said she will be working on a volunteer database and helping town committees, among other things. She can be reached at rebecca@mainegop.com.

Chuck Mahaleras, representing Senator Collins, spoke briefly about the Senator's activities. In addition, he said that he and the Senator's office were available to help with dealing with federal agencies such as the VA and IRS.

Jeanette Wheeler, LCRC representative to the Republican State Committee, reported that the Committee had passed its annual budget. Included was $60,000 earmarked for much-needed renovations to the GOP headquarters in Augusta.

Ken McGuire, LCRC secretary, spoke about his work to update Republican County records. He also said he now has the Lincoln County voting lists that the county had purchased. Several committee members spoke in praise of the work McGuire has been doing.

The meeting was hosted by the Nobleboro Republican Town Committee at the North Nobleboro Community Center. The Nobleboro Committee provided a delicious buffet for the committee members and guests prior to the meeting.

The next LCRC meeting will be held in Dresden on May 21 at the Pownallborough Hall (next to the new fire station).

For more information about the LCRC, check their website, www.lincolncountyrepublicans.org.