Feb 13 2012
February Update
The Oxford County Democrats welcomed several of the US Senate contenders for the Democratic Party nomination at an Old Fashioned Beef Stew Supper held on February 2 at the Eagles Hall in Rumford. Former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, State Senator Cynthis Dill, and Rep. Jon Hinck all made their case for support to the crowd of nearly 50 in attendance. James Tierney also spoke but has since ended his campaign. Local elected officials and candidates in attendance included Senator John Patrick, Rep. Matt Peterson, Rep. Sheryl Briggs, County Treasurer Roy Gedat, Jane Rich, candidate for County Commissioner, Mike Broderick, candidate for legislature in District 91. Former legislators Senator Bruce Bryant, Rep. Tim Carter, and Rep. Robert Duplessie attended. Greg Olson, campaign manager for Congressman Mike Michaud, spoke delivering greetings from the Congressman, and stating that the campaign is working on a number of events in Oxford County in the coming months.
On February 4, the Oxford County Democrats had a table at the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce annual dinner at Hebron Academy. Congressman Michaud attended with his staff person for Oxford County Andrea Quaid. Others participating were Senator John Patrick and Claire Patrick, County Treasurer Roy Gedat, Dennise Whitley of Norway, candidate for Senate District 13, and Oxford County Democratic Chair Cathy Newell of Greenwood.
Plans for the Democratic Party Caucuses in Oxford County have been completed. A list of times, locations and convenors is available on the Maine Democratic Party web site, www.mainedems.org/caucus/ and on the Oxford County Democrats web site, www.oxforddems.org. The caucuses are open to registered Democrats and will feature presidential preference voting, organizing town and county committees, supporting Democratic candidates, and electing delegates to the state convention in June. Absentee ballots may be downloaded at www.mainedems.org/caucus/ and must be returned by Feb. 22. In the case of a weather cancellation, caucuses will be rescheduled prior to March 11.
Many of the Democratic candidates for legislature in Oxford County are running as Maine Clean Election candidates. They need to collect $5 contributions to quality and it is possible to contribute to this effort on line by visiting the Maine Ethics Commission web site http://www.cleanelections.me/