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I’m done with hearing that the Graham Platner campaign was a failed experiment for Maine Democrats. I am tired of listening to pundits heap abuse on Graham, his supporters, and our common-sense, progressive message when I think our focus should be on the positive things we learned from the campaign.
Graham garnered over 153,000 votes in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary, more than any other candidate in Maine’s history. For comparison, the top first-round gubernatorial tallies were nearly 59,000 votes for Democrat Nirav Shah and just over 49,000 for Republican Bobby Charles.
Graham pulled together a winning coalition of Democrats and unenrolled voters, reaching across the political spectrum to address the issues facing all Mainers. For the general election, the campaign was focusing on engaging more Republican and first-time voters. The campaign built a cadre of 15,000 volunteers who devoted our time to ballot initiatives, signature gathering, community organizing, and promoting other Democratic primary candidates.
Graham generated huge crowds in more than 80 town halls and listened to Mainers’ concerns. We were energized by his commitment to healthcare as a human right; affordable, available housing; rebuilding public schools; supporting the needs and dignity of working Mainers, irrespective of party affiliation or socioeconomic class; and reducing the power of big money.
As the Maine Democratic Party moves forward with their caucus process to select a new candidate, it will be wise to consider all the positives that Graham and his supporters brought to this campaign and stop focusing on the negatives.
Karla Doremus-Tranfield
Camden