The Lincoln County Republican Committee held its August meeting at the new Freedom '14 Center at the Masonic Hall, 529 Main Street. The center serves as the focus for the State GOP in serving Lincoln, Knox and Sagadahoc Counties and for the campaign to reelect Gov. Paul LePage, as well as home to the Lincoln County Republican Committee. There will be an Open House at the center on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 3:30-5 p.m. All Republicans are welcome to attend. It will be an opportunity to meet with Republican candidates as well as to pick up campaign literature and volunteer to help.

Attendees of the “SHE Leads” event of July 17 in Jefferson honoring past and present Republican women in politics said it was a big success. The event, which included participants from around the state, offered great food, a beautiful setting, great speakers, and helped build camaraderie, they said.

Currently the Republicans have four women running for state office from Lincoln County, Rep. Deb Sanderson, running unopposed in House District 88, which includes Jefferson, Whitefield, Chelsea, and part of Nobleboro, Rep. Ellen Winchenbach, House District 91, which includes Waldoboro, Washington, Friendship, and part of Union, Stephanie Hawke, House District 89, which includes Edgecomb, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, part of South Bristol, Westport Island, and Southport, Anna Morkeski, House District 90, which includes Damarascotta, Newcastle, Bristol, Bremen, Monhegan Plt., part of Nobleboro, and part of South Bristol.

Those candidates in attendance reported on their campaigns, including Jeff Hanley who is running for Maine House District 87, which includes Wiscasset, Alna, Pittston, and Randolph, Anna Morkeski, and Les Fossel. In addition, Ken McGuire of South Bristol reported on his plan to run as a write-in candidate for Lincoln County Registrar of Probate. He said that he plans a full campaign.

Many candidates recently attended a very successful training session run by Rep. Sanderson where she and other experienced candidates shared their knowledge of running a campaign.

Stuart Smith, LCRC chair, said that Jim Blier of Waldoboro, who has been volunteering at the headquarters, has been hired to do expanded work for the Lincoln County Republicans. “Although we now have paid staff at the HQ, that doesn't mean that we have less of a need for volunteers. One of our major requirments is for people to man our phone bank. The sophisticated phone system makes calling a lot easier.”

Lisa Hunt reported that Gov. Paul LePage just received positive national attention when he was interviewed on August 4 by Neil Cavuto on the Fox News regarding Maine's work requirements for receiving welfare benefits. The interview can be found on the Internet.

The next meeting of the LCRC will be held Tesday, Sept. 2 at the Center. Further information about the LCRC can be found on their wesite, www.lincolncountyrepublicans.org or by sending an email to Info@lincolncountyrepublicans.org.