More than 200 people turned out Saturday, Oct. 15 at a campaign rally hosted by the Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) that featured Gov. Janet Mills and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D, ME-1).

The Rally for Democracy: A Get Out The Vote Party, held at the American Legion Post 42 in Damariscotta, marked the final month of the campaign with speeches by Mills and Pingree, conversations with Democratic legislative and county candidates, food from regional vendors and music by the local band, 32 North.

“We Democrats are about building a foundation, building good government, building a framework for the future and a framework for success for the Maine people,” Mills told the crowd. “That’s why we’ve got to go to the polls and elect Democrats to the Legislature and send me back to the Blaine House.”

Mills spoke about measures passed during her first term that have benefitted Mainers, including fully funding the state’s share of public school funding, expanding health care access to thousands around the state, providing free school meals to all Maine schoolchildren, quadrupling the rainy day fund to a record high $896 million and easing property taxes by restoring revenue sharing to towns and municipalities to 5 percent.

The state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on both the public health and economic fronts has drawn praise from conservative economists, Mills noted. Maine achieved one of the highest vaccination rates and reported one of the lowest mortality rates in the country, Mills said, while at the same time recovering nearly all of the jobs lost during the beginning of the pandemic and growing the state’s gross domestic product, a key indicator of economic growth.

“We are 11th in the country for economic growth,” Mills said. “That’s not bad from where we were in 2016 under my predecessor, which was 49th in the country.”

Pingree spoke about federal legislation she helped pass that supports Maine’s small businesses, schools, and families, including measures to expand broadband access in the state, provide funding for infrastructure upgrades, support for Maine farmers and fisheries, and legislation aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs for Maine seniors.

Both Mills and Pingree talked about the importance of Lincoln County in the 2022 election and local Democrats’ enthusiasm and commitment to turning out the vote on Nov. 8.

"Getting out the vote for Democratic candidates is so important this year and Lincoln County will play a key role in making that happen," Pingree said. "Electing Democrats will allow us to keep moving our state and country forward and protect our democracy."

The rally featured local food vendors Brother Shucker, Perch Cafe & Bakery, and JJ’s Schooner Dogs and J & J Jamaican Grocery.

Local favorites 32 North was the house band for the event. Between sets, the crowd heard from organizers, activists and veterans who spoke about why this election is important to them, and from leaders of Get Out The Vote efforts in Lincoln County about ways people could volunteer.

For more information about how to volunteer or for more photos from the event, visit https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/Victory2022.