PORTLAND, Maine — Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz came to Maine on Monday in an effort to highlight what she called a stark contrast between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to issues that matter most to women.
Flanked by 1st Congressional District Rep. Chellie Pingree and 2nd Congressional District candidate Emily Cain, a state senator from Orono, Wasserman Schultz railed against opponents of raising the national minimum wage, pay inequities between men and women, the recent Hobby Lobby decision by the U.S. Supreme Court and Republicans who have tried repeatedly to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Wasserman Schultz, who hails from Florida, did not name Bruce Poliquin of Oakland, who is running for office against Cain, nor Isaac Misiuk of Gorham, who is running against Pingree, but she argued that women’s issues are for the most part favored by Democrats. She also took aim at Gov. Paul LePage — whom she did refer to by name — for his rejection of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, among other issues.
“There is going to be a very clear contrast as we head into the November elections,” said Wasserman Schultz to a few dozen supporters in a conference room at the Portland Public Library. “This is a person who is essentially in favor of repealing the 21st century,” she said of LePage.
Pingree said more women are needed in Congress to stand up for women’s rights, including opposing the recent Hobby Lobby decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which allows corporations to opt out of providing health insurance coverage for certain contraceptive measures. Pingree said the decision would likely lead to more businesses trying to opt out of more health care regulations in the name of religion.
“This is just sort of a fundamental issue on which the Supreme Court has made a wrong-headed decision,” said Pingree, who predicted that the decision would increase health care costs for women. “I just can’t believe we are still debating [women’s health care rights, equal pay and other issues]. … We need a few changes in the Supreme Court and a Senate that’s going to be there to do that.”
Cain focused her remarks on women in the workplace, including pay equity issues and the minimum wage, which she said are interconnected issues.
“The role of women in improving the economy is essential,” said Cain.
Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who is opposing Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in the November election, reiterated her stances on several issues in a prepared statement. Bellows could not attend Monday’s event because she is in the midst of a 350-mile campaign walk through Maine.
“The stakes for women in this election are too important to risk Republican control of the U.S. Senate,” Bellows said in a prepared statement. “The fact that we’re even debating access to birth control in 2014 demonstrates how extreme Republicans in Washington have become.”
In prepared statements, Republicans attacked Wasserman Schultz for what they said is a pattern of misstating facts. They also argued that LePage is better for women’s rights than Michaud would be as governor.
“Mainers are tired of the lies and hypocrisy coming from career politicians like Michaud and Wasserman Schultz,” said Maine Rep. Heather Sirocki, R-Scarborough, who is co-chairwoman of the Women for LePage Coalition, in a written statement. “Gov. LePage is the only candidate for governor who is clear about his positions and his success in strengthening domestic violence and trafficking laws while putting Maine third in the nation for post-recession employment growth prove that he is the best candidate for Maine women.”
That is despite several polls that have shown stronger support among women for Michaud.
LePage campaign strategist Brent Littlefield reacted to Wasserman Schultz’s visit similarly.
“This is just another example of partisanship at any cost for Mike Michaud and his Democratic team,” said Littlefield in a written statement. “They ignore the facts with over 20,000 new private sector jobs created since Gov. LePage took office and that Maine now has a governor who is focused on ending domestic violence.”
Michaud had to leave the rally with Wasserman Schultz to fly to Washington but said in a prepared statement that women’s rights are important to him.
“All across the country, at the state and national level, women’s rights are under attack, from their right to earn a fair paycheck to their right to make their own health care decisions,” said Michaud. “That’s where there is so much at stake this election.”
