In addition to the Honorary Chair of the Bake Hon. Marge Kilkelly of Dresden, elected officials from across Lincoln County and beyond have confirmed their attendance of the Lincoln County Democratic Committee’s (LCDC) Family Fun Day Lobster Bake from noon until 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 8, at the Cider Hill Farm in Waldoboro. 

“We are gratified by the response from our legislators and officials in the criminal justice system,” said Chris Johnson, chair of LCDC. “Our guests at the ’bake will have the chance to get to know their representatives, and directly discuss issues important to them.”

Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau (HD 11) will attend the bake for the first time. "Following an unprecedented year and a half with a pandemic that altered our way of life, the course of our economy, and left too many families grieving the passing of loved ones, it is heartening to be together again. Most importantly, it is great to gather  together with lobster on the menu. The Lincoln County Democratic Committee Lobster Bake comes at such an important time. Being together after a long year apart is good for our spirits. This is also a chance to celebrate the transformative accomplishments of this legislative session: 55 percent for education, five percent for revenue sharing, boosting property tax relief, funding for vocational schools, investments in combating climate change, and so much more." The first out member of the LGBTQ+ community to be Maine speaker and one of about two dozen to have held such leadership positions nationwide, at age 28, Fecteau is the youngest speaker of the house in Maine history. 

State Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli (SD 23), who will travel to Waldoboro for the ’bake from her home in Arrowsic, said, “As a member of the Senate Democratic caucus, I am proud of our work on the budget  which makes critical investments in education, property tax relief, and land conservation, while providing much needed boosts to our direct care workers and those most vulnerable among us.” 

Democrats and Republicans came together in November 2020 to elevate State Sen. Chloe Maxmin (SD 13) from her role as House District 88 state representative to state senator in a highly contested race against the then Republican Majority Leader Sen. Dana Dow. She recognizes how important the annual event is to the life of the Democratic party in Lincoln County, “The Lincoln County Democrats represent the best of community engagement,” she said. “The kindness, commitment, and wisdom of the group makes Lincoln County stronger. I'm proud to attend the Lobster Bake this year!"

Allison Hepler (HD 53) is in the middle of her second term as a representative from Woolwich who represents Dresden in Lincoln County and has worked to create a Maine that will engage and attract the attention of a younger population. “As a legislator who is also a local selectperson, I'm proud of our ability to provide some property tax relief for our residents through additional revenue sharing, increased homestead exemption, and full funding for public education,” Hepler commented. “All of these will help attract and keep younger people in Maine, which has been a priority for me since I've been in the legislature.”

Holly Stover represents House District 89 which encompasses a highly diverse constituency along the coast and stretches from tony Christmas Cove on Rutherford Island in South Bristol to working-class sections of the Boothbay peninsula and on down to Westport Island. Stover said of her work during the 130th legislative session, “I am a proud co-sponsor of the bill that has created access to a full, comprehensive adult dental benefit to 217,000 Maine people,” she said. “As an employee of Lincoln County Dental,” Stover continued, “I can tell you first-hand how critical this benefit is to the people in this County that have lacked access to a dentist. We are reducing the largest health disparity and will improve the overall health of the people in this County.”

As the district attorney for Maine Prosecutorial District 6 which includes Lincoln, Waldo, Knox and Sagadahoc counties, Natasha Irving has overcome the challenges of working through the pandemic-restricted court schedules. Through it all, she has not lost sight of but has built upon the ideals that inspired her to run in 2018, "As the first democrat and the first women district attorney in the midcoast, I have been able to work effectively with partners in restorative justice, law enforcement, substance use disorder treatment and mental health treatment to re-envision community-based justice for our friends, our families and our neighbors."

Representing the far-flung folks of District 90, which includes Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, Monhegan Plantation, Louds Island and parts of South Bristol and Nobleboro, has been an honor for Lydia Crafts, a first year legislator. Of the work she has accomplished during the past year she said, “I continue to strive to stay connected to the needs and objectives of our district and I strongly believe the Legislature’s work this session is well aligned with our local goals. I appreciate our district’s support and look forward to continuing to serve my neighbors well.” 

Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett, County Commissioners Mary Trescot (District 3) and Bill Blodgett (District 2), and State Treasurer Henry Beck have also confirmed their attendance. Additional special guests include several municipal selectboard members, former state legislators, and other town officials as well as many volunteers who have worked and continue to work to keep Democrats in office across all levels of government. Our U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (CD 1) has been invited, as has Gov. Janet Mills, who have both attended past LCDC lobster bakes. 

“We’re looking forward to an afternoon of fun, food, and grassroots politicking at its most American,” said Johnson. “And we truly appreciate these fine folks taking time from their precious weekend to share their ideas about the future with us!”

Full details about the Aug. 8 Family Fun Day Lobster Bake including the schedule, location, expected attendance list, and reservation information can be found at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/lobster. The deadline for receiving reservations by mail is Monday, Aug. 2. Online payments for reservations will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 6 at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/2021lobster. To request other reservation arrangements or for more information about this event, please contact Geoff Bates, LCDC Fundraising Chair at 207-644-8776. 

The LCDC uses the money they raise through this and other fundraising initiatives to support their local efforts in Lincoln County. Its grassroots mission is to organize volunteers and communicate with voters in support of candidates who believe in the Democratic ideals and principles of government by, of, and for all the people.