Democratic majority leaders in the Maine Senate said Tuesday they would hold a series of town hall meetings in the weeks ahead to highlight their agenda for the next lawmaking session starting in January.

Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, said Democrats will work hard for the working class, with a focus on health care, property taxes, energy independence and protecting workers’ rights.

“Too many people feel like our government isn’t working for them. We are setting out to change that,” Jackson said in a prepared statement announcing the “Fighting for Maine” tour, which starts in Auburn on Oct. 28.

Democrats currently hold majorities in both the House and the Senate as well as the governor’s office.

The tour will hit five cities with the largest voting blocs in state Senate districts in those regions, including Auburn and Presque Isle, where Democrats claimed narrow victories in the last legislative elections in 2018.

In Auburn, the largest city in state Senate District 20, for example, first-time candidate Ned Claxton, a retired doctor from Auburn, beat his Republican opponent, long-time state Rep. Ellie Espling of New Gloucester, by just over 200 votes. The tour also stops in Presque Isle, the largest city in Senate District 2, where Democratic incumbent Sen. Mike Carpenter edged out his Republican challenger by just 301 votes.

Democrats recaptured control of the Senate in 2018 when they picked up 21 of the body’s 35 seats. Prior to 2018, Republicans held a one-seat majority.

A spokesman for Maine Senate Republicans, Tom Desjardin, declined comment on the tour when asked about it Tuesday.

Jackson was joined by Senate Majority Leader Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, and Assistant Minority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic.

“I’m eager to get back to the State House and work on ambitious, smart policies that will help grow our economy by attracting and retaining a well-trained workforce, investing in infrastructure that connects our state to the world marketplace, and supporting new growth in our heritage industries.” Libby said.

The tour will also stop at Gardiner, Topsham and Winterport over a two-week period in late October and early November.

 

 

 

 

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