Augusta, Maine — Maine Democrats turned out in historic numbers this primary — sending an unmistakable signal that grassroots energy heading into November is stronger than ever. Democrats cast nearly 215,000 votes in the gubernatorial primary, almost double the Republican turnout of 124,000. Unenrolled early and absentee voters voted in the Democratic Primary at roughly a 3:1 ratio to the Republican primary — a powerful sign that the Democratic message of making Maine more affordable is resonating well beyond the party’s base.

The Maine Democratic Party is united around our slate of candidates.

Hannah Pingree, the Democratic nominee for Governor, former Speaker of the Maine House and director of Governor Mills’ Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, has nearly 25 years of experience on health care, housing, and climate and a proven record of delivering for Maine people. She is committed to making Maine more affordable for workers and families.

Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, a Marine and U.S. Army veteran, and oyster farmer is running to defeat Susan Collins, to defeat her billionaire backers, and win back the seat for the working Mainers being priced out of our homes.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, the Democratic nominee for Maine’s First Congressional District, will continue her decades of work fighting for health care, climate action, and working families.

Matt Dunlap, the Democratic nominee for Maine’s Second Congressional District, Maine’s State Auditor and former Secretary of State, will bring his fight to lower costs, strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and build an economy that works for Mainers in Congress.

Democrats are also fighting vigorously to maintain and grow narrow majorities in the State Legislature, which is critical to supporting a Democratic Governor and ensuring Mainers have their strongest possible defense against the Trump agenda on health care, housing costs, and economic security.

“The historic turnout in this primary election echoes the high energy and determination we have seen on the ground for the last year and a half, yielding massive response to a voter suppression referendum last year and huge increases in caucus and convention participation this year. Voters are ready to build on what’s working in Maine to make life better and to demand change from a federal regime that has cut health care, fomented corruption, lined the pockets of billionaires, and threatened our freedom and security. On Election Day, Maine voters turned in dramatic numbers toward Maine Democrats to lead the way toward a brighter future,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Charlie Dingman. “We are united in our determination to organize and deliver to protect and serve Maine’s working families, and we are thrilled with the candidates primary voters have nominated to accomplish that mission.”

While this was a competitive primary season, Maine Democrats emerged united and focused on one mission: making life more affordable for working Mainers. Whether it’s lowering healthcare costs, building more housing, creating good-paying jobs, strengthening unions, or protecting the programs families depend on, every Democrat on this ticket is fighting for the same vision. In November, Maine voters will face a clear choice between a Democratic ticket that wakes up every day thinking about how to make life more affordable for Maine families and Republicans who have stood with Donald Trump and billionaires at every turn.