PORTLAND – More than 125 Oxford County Democrats attended the Maine Democratic Party Convention in Portland on May 21-23.

County Chairwoman Cathy Newell of Greenwood and Sen. Bruce Bryant of Dixfield chaired the county caucus, with John Jenness of Paris and Marge Medd of Norway serving as ballot clerks and India Haynes of Waterford serving as secretary.

Haynes also represented Oxford County on the Credentials Committee. Michael Broderick of Bethel was elected as an alternate for the national convention pledged to U.S. Sen. John Kerry. Broderick was a volunteer in Kerry’s first campaign for Congress and was one of his first Maine supporter in his campaign for president.

Candidates for office addressed the county caucus, including Marge Medd for Senate 13, Bruce Bryant for Senate 14, Linda Petrie of Mexico for House District 93, Marlee Turner of Brownfield for House District 97, Roy Gedat of Norway for House District 95, Gordon Fuller of Denmark for House District 99.

Jodi Carter spoke for her husband, Tim Carter, of Bethel for House District 91. Cathy Newell spoke on behalf of John Patrick of Rumford, House District 92; Terry Hayes of Buckfield, House District 94; Margaret Reimer of Bridgton, House District 98; and David Ivey of Oxford, House District 100, who were unable to attend. Other candidates unable to attend were Oxford County Commissioner Fred Kennard of Rumford, Oxford County Commission candidate George Driscoll of Bethel and Register of Probate candidate Price Hutchins of Lovell.

Oxford County led the floor demonstration for Congressman Mike Michaud with Bruce Bryant, India Haynes, Cathy Newell, Brian and Marina Sessions playing an active role in leading the audience response to the speech delivered by Maine’s Second District Congressman.

The next meeting of the Oxford County Democrats will be Thursday, June 24, in Porter. Doug Bowen and Pamela Pinault will host the meeting. Included will be a potluck supper at 5:30 p.m. and business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in participating in the 2004 campaign is asked to contact Newell at 875-2116.