Democrats caucused around Lincoln County on Sunday as they elected delegates and town committees. The slogan for the 2018 election season is “Victory Begins Here!”

At different sites, candidates for state office appeared and others spoke for gubernatorial candidates. The next step is the convention in May at The Colisee in Lewiston, followed by the primary vote in June for state and federal candidates to run in November.

In Wiscasset, Jason Putnam is running for the District 87 House seat currently held by Jeffrey Hanley (R-Pittston). Putnam spoke about his commitment to education and universal healthcare, which he called “a right, not a privilege.” Putnam is a member of Wiscasset’s school committee and was recently thanked publicly by the selectmen for his work on the town clock. He has also served on other local committees.

Laura Fortman of Nobleboro is running against Dana Dow (R-Waldoboro). She spoke to the Wiscasset and Alna caucuses. She spoke of her career as director of the Maine Women's Lobby and Policy Center. She was also Maine’s labor commissioner for almost eight years and recently spent three and a half years at the U. S. Department of Labor as deputy administrator of the Wage and Hour Division.

Also speaking to Wiscasset and Alna caucusers was Sheriff Todd Brackett, seeking another term. He asked for support and outlined his concern about the opiate crisis in Maine and funding for Two Bridges Regional Jail.

Turnout was strong at the Boothbay region caucuses, where Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport and Westport Island met. Before the groups broke up, they rallied in the gymnasium. They chanted, “This is what democracy looks like!”

Natasha Irving spoke in Damariscotta. She is running to be the first woman district attorney for District VI, to replace Jonathan Liberman. Also speaking were Alan Plummer and Chloe Maxmin, candidates for the termed-out, District 88 seat Deb Sanderson had held.