Maine Democrats let me down | Letter
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Like July 31 letter writer Bill Gerencer of Bowdoin (“Why I left the Democrats”), I’m no longer a Democrat. Last month, I too became an “unenrolled” voter.
My decision had nothing to do with the hard-working local Democrats or most of the state Democratic legislators. It’s been a long time coming, but the actions of the state and national party finally pushed me out.
The last straw was the dismissive treatment of Graham Platner by the executive director of the state party. Devon Murphy-Anderson seemed to think the thousands of primary voters who turned out for Platner and who volunteered for his campaign were now her property, and that the enthusiasm he generated at his many town halls would have magically appeared with any of the typical candidates the Democrats have on offer.
Along with scoldings of the voters who supported Platner came complaints of inadequate vetting. Can we vet for uninspiring candidates pushing incremental measures that do nothing but leave the status quo in place?
I suspect some state and national party leaders would have always preferred Sen. Susan Collins over Platner. Platner’s clean break from corporate donors and especially AIPAC threatened their business model, and his willingness to criticize both parties was a bridge too far.
Troy Jackson was a good choice and will make a fine senator. Jackson should offer an honest acknowledgment of the groundswell Platner created, and doesn’t need to defend him against any allegations. It may well be about the movement, not the person, but it took a person to start it.
Renee Cote
Auburn
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Tagged: election 2026, featured letter, letter to the editor, senate 2026
