Maine Democrat Triumphant in Special Election

Maine Democrat Triumphant in Special Election
Victory Continues Trend of 2016 Cycle Successes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Executive Director Jessica Post lauded tonight’s Democratic special election win in the Maine state Senate. On Tuesday, Maine Democrat Susan Deschambault won the special election in Senate District 32 with 57 percent of the vote. This victory comes on the heels of a series of special election successes in Kentucky and strong Democratic performances in competitive regions in last fall’s legislative general elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

“Congratulations to Senator-elect Deschambault on her victory in tonight’s special election,” said Post. “This latest win continues a clear pattern of Democratic successes that will continue into the fall – not just in state legislative elections, but all the way to the top of the ballot. Voters in Maine and across the country want government that reflects the American ideals of opportunity and freedom, and when voters bring those demands to the ballot box, Democrats win.

“As a former prison social worker and retired SEIU member, Sen.-elect Deschambault reflects not only the high quality of Democratic legislative candidates this year, but also the values Democrats represent,” Post continued. “Republican Gov. Paul LePage continues to push his extreme agenda – to the point that he even endorsed Donald Trump for president last month. But with this win, Mainers are demonstrating they’re ready to elect a Democratic Senate to keep Gov. LePage and his pro-Trump values in check.”

Senate District 32 encompasses parts of York County, including the towns of Biddeford, Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport. The Maine Senate presents a prime opportunity to flip a chamber from a Republican to Democratic majority in November, and winning this seat was crucial to that effort.

This victory is just the latest in a series of Democratic successes in recent special and general state legislative elections. Last summer, Democrats won key special elections in previously-Republican suburban districts in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Democrats went on to pick up seats in the Louisiana Senate, Virginia House, and New Jersey Assembly in last November’s general elections. On March 8, Democrats won three of four pivotal Kentucky House special elections, picking up a seat and increasing our majority. Also on March 8, Democrats flipped a Republican-leaning House seat in New Hampshire, where Democrats anticipate picking up majorities in both legislative chambers this fall.