On Thursday afternoon, July 14, Republican candidates joined Lincoln County GOP leadership to officially open their new headquarters on Main Street in Damariscotta above Salt Bay Café. Entering up a few steps from the drive along the side of the building leading back to the parking lot, the space is available to candidates to use for meetings and a place for the distribution of election materials. As we get into the fall, the headquarters hours may expand, but for now it will be open from 1-4 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The recently elected chair of the Lincoln County Republican Committee is John O”Connell. Other elected leaders are Vice-Chair Norman Hunt, Finance Chair Beth Printy, Treasurer Peter Lawrence, Secretary Ken Maguire, State Committeewoman Jeanette Wheeler and State Comitteeman Harry Stred.

Candidates in attendance were Mark Holbrook, who is challenging Chellie Pingree to represent residents of the First District of Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives, Dana Dow who is seeking to be the State Senator for Lincoln County, and four candidates for Maine State representatives: Robin Mayer of Damariscotta- District 90, Stephanie Hawke of Boothbay Harbor- District 89, Dick Bradstreet of Vassalboro- District 80 (includes Somerville) and Jeffry Hanley of Pittston- District 87. Former State Representative from Waldoboro, Jeanne Begley, was also in attendance. Deborah Sanderson of Chelsea- District 88 and Abden Simmons of Waldoboro- District 91, were unable to attend.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Lincoln County Republicans will be at the Newcastle Firehouse on Wednesday July 20 at 7 p.m. All Lincoln County Republicans are welcome to attend.