The Lincoln County Republican Committee (LCRC) held its monthly meeting at the Newcastle Community Center July 25. The meeting featured a packed house and full program as local Republicans continue to push Republican successes at the national, state, and county levels. Featured guests were Eric Brakey, candidate for U.S. Senate; Richard Van Knowe, Maine HD 90 candidate; Kelly Stratton, a GOP intern who spoke on why she is a Republican; Nina McLoughlin, Maine State GOP Director of Communications; and Senate District 13 Senator Dana Dow.

Brakey energized the crowd as he outlined his agenda to represent the interests of Maine and replace the failures of incumbent, Angus King. Brakey said that King calls himself an Independent, but is “indistinguishable from Sen. Schumer and the Democrat agenda of obstruction and resistance.” Brakey asked, “If there is a tight vote coming up in the Senate, does the media ask the independent from Maine how he will vote?” No, they ask Republican Sen. Collins, because “they already know how King will vote.” Brakey said that he is “more independent than King” and that King has become a “creature of the swamp and lost touch with Maine voters.” Brakey promised that, if elected, he will go to D.C. and represent Maine, and not the special interests. He will fight for “the little guy, the real people, and real jobs.”

Richard Van Knowe, Republican candidate for House District 90, talked about his campaign and three issues that he feels are important: vocational education, welfare reform, and tax reduction. As someone who has worked all his life in multiple jobs, Van Knowe said that he learned the value of the building trades when he quit his job to rebuild his father’s house destroyed by fire. He’s seen first-hand the impact of welfare assistance for able bodied working adults in Maine’s restaurant industry. Restaurant owners have to hire workers from overseas. The workers are “good people and deserving” he said, but the problem is that when they leave, “they take their earnings with them” back to their families in the Ukraine or Russia, or wherever they may come from. This doesn’t benefit the Maine economy. Concerned with Maine’s progressive swing “further and further to the left” which is unaffordable, Van Knowe supports the Republican agenda of lower taxes. He is enjoying talking with independents and Democrats about the issues as he knocks on doors around the district. House District 90 consists of Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Louds Island, Monhegan, Newcastle, and parts of Nobleboro and South Bristol.

Kelly Stratton worked as a Maine State GOP intern the past year and is a recent high school graduate from Winthrop. Kelly talked about her personal experiences and why she is a Republican. Her mother and grandmother are both from Venezuela and are naturalized U.S. citizens. When candidate Donald Trump started talking about illegal immigration, she said “it made sense to me.” Her family had followed the legal process to become U.S. citizens, so “why should others not have to?” Then, when Bernie Sanders started talking about socialism, she said “that’s not right.” Her family has had first-hand experience with socialism in Venezuela which has been terrible for her family, aunts and uncles. Because of her religious beliefs and family connection with U.S. immigration policies, getting involved with the Republican Party was a natural fit. Kelly plans to attend Norwich University to study political science where she expects that as a Hispanic and Republican, she will be in the minority. Her personal goal is to run for Republican office one day.

Senator Dana Dow spoke briefly on the tax conformity bill passed by the Senate 35-0 that is being “held hostage” by House Democrats who are insisting on raising taxes on Maine families. “Democrats will claim it’s not a tax increase,” but people with families “are going to pay more” next year. Saying that this should have all been completed in the regular session and that Democrat delays are wasting taxpayer dollars, Dow said that he has refused to take any legislative pay (mileage, meals, or per diem) in the extended session.

After a short business meeting, Chairman Joe Grant announced with regret that he must step down as chair. Attendees thanked Joe for his outstanding service. Vice Chair, Melvin Williams of Waldoboro and candidate for County Commissioner will replace Joe under the bylaws of the LCRC.

The LCRC meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month and all interested Republicans are welcome. The next meeting will be held Aug. 22 with program speakers to be announced. For more information, please check out the Lincoln County web page and Facebook, or email nrtclcrc@gmail.com.