Augusta, Maine – Following tonight’s first debate in Maine’s Second Congressional District race between Democratic nominee Matt Dunlap and Republican nominee Paul LePage, Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson released the following statement:

“Matt Dunlap won tonight’s debate by showing Mainers exactly who he is fighting for: working people across the Second District.

“Matt is a lifelong Mainer who grew up on a farm near Bar Harbor, worked multiple jobs to put himself through school, and has spent his career serving the people of this state. Tonight, he showed that he understands what working families are going through and is focused on the issues that actually matter to them – lowering costs, protecting their health care, and making sure Mainers can count on Social Security when they need it.

“While Matt laid out how he’ll fight to make life more affordable, Paul LePage had to answer for a record Mainers already know. As governor, LePage vetoed Medicaid expansion six times, called Social Security and Medicare ‘welfare,’ and repeatedly put wealthy special interests ahead of working families.

“Mainers are being buried by the cost of groceries, health care, gas, and heating oil. Matt Dunlap understands that, and tonight he made clear that he’ll go to Congress to lower costs and protect the benefits Maine people have worked their whole lives to earn.”