Mike Michaud (ME-Gov) and Shenna Bellows (ME-Sen), the Maine Dems Dream Team 2014!
Maine Democrats are energized this year. With no primary challenges, we're united behind current CD2 Congressman
Mike Michaud for Governor, and can't wait for him to show the current occupant of the Blaine House to the door (or all the way to the airport for a one-way flight to Florida.) And our U.S. Senate candidate,
Shenna Bellows, is making waves around the state and
beyond with an inspiring grassroots campaign against the last Republican senator in New England.
Michaud, a former paper mill worker from Millinocket, came up through the Maine Legislature to lead the Maine Senate. Since 2003 he's represented Maine's CD2. Support in this largely rural, more conservative part of the state is essential for winning any statewide race, and Mike has never lost an election. Mike made national news last fall when he came out as gay. We look forward to electing him as the first openly gay Governor in the nation.
Bellows also has roots in northern Maine, coming from coastal Hancock in CD2. The daughter of carpenter and a nurse, she grew up without electricity or running water until fifth grade. Following an economics degree and a stint in the Peace Corps, she joined the national ACLU, and served as Executive Director of the ACLU of Maine for 8 years.
These two are both terrific on the stump- on point, positive and progressive, charming and approachable. And it only gets better when they're together, as they have been several times recently in stops around Maine. Follow along as we catch up with them in Downeast Maine this past week. Pix and video below the orange squiggle!
It was through the ACLU, and specifically her work with the Maine Choice Coalition and the Coalition for Maine Women, that Bellows and Congressman Michaud began a long friendship and partnership in advancing women's issues. Let's let Shenna elaborate on that, as she introduces Mike and contrasts his strong voting record to that of her opponent, Republican Susan Collins:
Beyond their work together on women's issues, there is another strong connection between these two candidates and their campaigns. During Maine's successful 2012 marriage campaign, Mainers United for Marriage campaign manager Matt McTighe worked closely with Shenna Bellows, a key leader in that coalition. This time around, McTighe is Michaud's campaign manager. McTighe and Bellows share a keen understanding of field operations, and a commitment to voter contact and persuasion as the key to successful campaigning.
This past week, Mike and Shenna have helped open Maine Democratic Party field offices in Portland and Bangor.
Shenna Bellows and Mike Michaud chat with supporters and volunteers at the Open House for the Maine Democratic Party's Bangor field office.
Earlier in the week, they toured Hancock County together, visiting small businesses like
Atlantic Art Glass in Ellsworth. There, Mike and Shenna learned about glass blowing and discussed the importance of Maine's creative economy.
At Atlantic Art Glass, Mike and Shenna learned about glass blowing, and discussed ways to promote Maine's creative economy.
And now that the snow is finally gone here in Downeast Maine, it's ice cream season! So Shenna and Mike stopped in to Morton's Moo, which uses locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Promoting Maine farmers and products is an important goal for Michaud. (In contrast, our current governor just
vetoed a bill to encourage use of local foods in Maine schools, because "state taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize these providers to overcome the natural forces of the free market.")
Shenna and Mike stopped for ice cream at Morton's Moo, Ellsworth ME.
We'll be seeing a lot of these two energetic candidates, together and separately. They're building volunteer commitment and voter enthusiasm everywhere they travel. If you're in Maine, follow them and catch them in your area!
Mike Michaud's website, Facebook Page, and Twitter feed
Shenna Bellows's website, Facebook Page, and Twitter feed
Maine Democratic Party website