This election year, Portland and the rest of Cumberland County will be voting on our next District Attorney (DA).

In a democratic society, these DA elections are one way that we the people have a say in how our laws are enforced. From promoting alternatives to incarceration for juveniles, to addressing racial bias in the criminal system, to investigating Trump for trying to steal an election (as is the case for Georgia’s Fulton County DA Fani Willis), our elected District Attorneys make decisions that can play a large role in advancing justice and upholding our democracy.

This year we have two Democratic candidates for Cumberland County DA running in the June 14th primary election. Please join our PDCC March meeting on Sunday March 20th to meet the candidates, discuss the issues, and ask them your questions.

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PDCC March Meeting

Meet the Candidates for District Attorney

Sunday*, March 20, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

(Zoom Register here) (Agenda TBA)

*While PDCC commonly meets on the Third Thursday of each month, this month’s meeting will be on the Third Sunday.

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March Action with Portland Dems

Here are some actions you can take to further our democracy and our Democratic values!

1. Join the Wabanaki Alliance this Wednesday for their lobby day in Augusta. At our February Meeting, PDCC endorsed the LD 1626 Tribal Sovereignty bill.

2. Donate $5 to the Clean Election Fund for candidates running clean election campaigns in your district. Donate $5 online here.

3. Attend the next PDCC Voter Outreach meeting, Monday March 21 at 6:30pm. Email meaghan.lydon@gmail.com for information

At our February meeting yesterday evening, the Portland Democrats voted unanimously to endorse the recognition of sovereignty for the tribes of Maine. We call on our Legislature and our Governor to work with the tribes to pass LD 1626 into law this year.

Below is the text of our endorsed statement. We also passed another endorsement thanking our elected leaders for ensuring that Black History, Native History, and the history of the Holocaust will be taught in Maine’s schools.

Additionally, we welcome our new Vice Chair Meg Harned, elected last night.

Thanks to all who participated in last night’s discussion and votes!

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ENDORSED STATEMENTS:

ENDORSED BY PDCC 02/17/2022: (draft minutes here)
“The Portland Democratic City Committee acknowledges the need to secure the sovereignty of the tribes in Maine as a matter of legal fairness, environmental justice, and public health. The Portland Democratic City Committee endorses LD 1626, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act, and calls on the Maine Legislature and Governor Janet Mills to partner with Maine’s tribes and sign LD 1626 into law this year.”

ENDORSED BY PDCC 02/17/2022: (draft minutes here)
“In light of Republican attempts in Maine and across the country to cover up the history of discrimination against African Americans, Native Americans, and other historically marginalized people; to scare educators away from their duty and constitutional right to teach all aspects of U.S. history; and to ban books that illuminate the history of the Holocaust and of genocide and racial terror in the U.S.; the Portland Democratic City Committee affirms the importance of teaching the full story of U.S. history and thanks Maine Governor Janet Mills, Portland Representative Rachel Talbot Ross, and other members of the Maine Legislature for their leadership in signing LD 1664 into law to integrate African American Studies and the History of Genocide into Maine’s public education environment.”

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Democrats all over Maine need YOU!

Sign up by Sunday to represent Portland as a Delegate at the State Convention in May! Participating in the convention is a great way to join with other volunteers and activists around the state in making sure our Maine Democratic Party reflects our values. Any registered Democrat can sign up! This year you can participate 100% virtually from home, or in-person in Bangor!

Sign up by Feb. 20 at mainedems.org/vote

Democrats all over Maine need YOU!

Every two years, Democratic volunteers, activists, and leaders from around the state gather at the State Convention to set the direction of the Democratic Party in Maine. With the largest concentration of Democratic voters in the state, Portland has a crucial role to play in shaping and advancing our party.

It’s always discouraging to feel like the future is out of our control. This is one way we can work together to shape the future of our party and of our state. Don’t give up!

Please join other Portland Democrats in serving as Delegates this year.

Sign up by Sunday to represent Portland as a Delegate at the State Convention in May! Participating in the convention is a great way to join with other volunteers and activists around the state in making sure our Maine Democratic Party reflects our values. This year you can participate 100% virtually from home, or in-person in Bangor.

Any registered Democrat can sign up, so you are all more than qualified!

Sign up by Feb. 20 at mainedems.org/vote