Letters to the Editor From Hancock County Democrats
Carole Beal - Bangor Daily NewsAug. 21I support Troy Jackson to uphold the ideals of Graham Platner’s campaign.
Thank you, Graham Platner, and 15,000 volunteers who with honesty, integrity and enormous amounts of energy successfully created a vision for leadership in our state. As an inspiring candidate, Graham articulated the concerns of the Maine working class. Day after day, Graham spoke to all of us, especially young first-time voters like my granddaughters.
I am tired of powerful, old, out-of-date Washington, D.C. lawmakers telling us who best represents Maine. Graham Platner received more primary votes than any other Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Maine history. I believe he paved the way to retire Susan Collins.
As one of the 17,000 in Maine who voted for delegates to the improvised convention to choose our candidate, I helped nominate Troy Jackson. He has my support through the Maine People Power Movement (MPPM), which upholds the ideals of the Platner campaign.
If it’s time for change in Washington, then join those of us working with the MPPM and committed progressives to retrofit our local Democratic committees from the ground up.
Carole Beal Blue Hill
Alan BlumeAug. 17 - Ellsworth AmericanTo the Editor:When asked about then Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s order granting President Trump, his sons, and family business immunity from IRS audits earlier this year, Senator Collins was quoted as stating: “I haven’t been focused on that, to tell the truth.” As an afterthought she added: “I think the same rules should apply to everybody.” Senator Collins’ response when I wrote asking her to take action to block the immunity deal was non-committal.Although Senator Collins voted against Mr. Blanche’s confirmation as Attorney General (yet another in a long line of her meaningless protest votes), she has not made any meaningful attempt since the Trump immunity deal from IRS audits was first announced to ensure the rules that apply to all of us who pay our taxes year after year also apply to President Trump — or any other president, member of Congress or Supreme Court justice for that matter. I find that offensive.Citizens of Maine deserve a senator who will stand up against President Trump’s abuses of office, which include the order granting him immunity from IRS audits. Maine voters have a choice this November. We can reelect a senator who wasn’t immediately alarmed when President Trump was granted immunity from IRS audits, or we can elect a senator who will stand up for all of us. The choice is easy – I will be voting for Troy Jackson.Alan BlumeBlue Hill
Libbey Gulliver - Mount Desert IslanderAugust 10, 2026
I urge Maine citizens to recognize the immense power we grant our elected officials. It’s crucial to know their personalities and skills. Voters need to be informed and be allowed to advocate about the world we want to live in and to review voting records by candidates that meet those objectives.
Susan Collins doesn’t trust the citizens of Maine to support her in her bid for a sixth term. She continues to avoid any extensive public meetings with Mainers, which suggests she feels guilty about her service to Maine as our Senator.
Our Senators and legislators must serve all of Maine, not for self-interest or to do others’ bidding. Susan Collins’ recent voting record suggests the latter. Her symbolic & strategic votes for medicaid cuts, judicial confirmations, and her being “Insufficiently” critical of Immigration actions have purposely and materially harmed Maine people.
Susan Collins is weak and requires dark money to continue doing the bidding for political operatives like “Stronger America” and “Pine Tree Results.” These 501(c)(4) and political action committees received millions of undisclosed investor money for her campaign.
The Republican leadership clearly fears she can’t win on her own merit. I urge my fellow Mainers to choose power for Maine citizens. Don’t be fooled by the Republican operatives financing the Collins campaign to serve the interests of big-money donors.
Libbey GulliverBlue Hill, Maine