The Republican gubernatorial primary continues to spiral, with candidates dodging debates and launching bizarre attacks. But Maine Democrats are here to sort through the chaos and highlight what matters. Here’s what you missed (or tried to avoid).
JONATHAN BUSH COMPARES MAINECARE EXPANSION TO PUTIN BOMBING SCHOOLS
Yes, you read that correctly.
A day after Bush announced his health care plan, American Journal News reported on Jonathan Bush recently comparing MaineCare expansion to Russian President Vladimir Putin bombing schools in an interview with WGAN’s Matt Gagnon.
The story also highlights Bush’s long track record of attacking MaineCare, including proposing to use AI to kick Mainers off coverage and insisting that “we’ve got to roll people back.”
As Devon Murphy Anderson, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, said:
“Comparing health care for Maine families to war crimes isn’t just offensive, it’s disqualifying. Mainers need a governor focused on lowering costs, not someone obsessed with ripping coverage away.”
BOBBY CHARLES DUCKING DEBATES
Bobby Charles is apparently afraid of televised debates. That’s the only conclusion after he backed out of the CBS News 13 debate and still hasn’t confirmed whether he’ll show up for WMTW.
Charles claims he’s skipping CBS in “solidarity” with Robert Wessels, who didn’t meet the polling threshold to qualify. What does that have to do with Bobby Charles? Nothing — except it gives him an excuse to stay off the stage.
And as for WMTW, where every candidate (including Wessels) is invited? Still no answer. So what’s the excuse there?
Lauryn Fanguen, spokesperson for the Maine Democratic Party, said:
“Bobby Charles is all talk and no action. He’s loud on social media, but apparently can’t keep that same energy on a debate stage. What are you afraid of, Bobby?”
Maine Democrats also poked fun at Charles.
Reminder: David Jones attacked Bobby Charles during the Maine Wire debate and Garrett Mason took swipes at both Charles and Jonathan Bush during his convention speech.
RICK BENNETT IS A REPUBLICAN IN SHEEPS CLOTHING
Last Friday, Bangor Daily News covered the Maine Democratic Party’s new website on gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett, Rick’s Receipts, which lays out his long record as a Republican operative and politician.
The story highlights key parts of the website:
The party’s site targets Bennett’s work with LePage, his opposition to public funding for Planned Parenthood and MaineCare expansion, and his support for Trump, for whom he was a 2nd Congressional District elector before attending the 2017 inauguration.
As Devon Murphy Anderson, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party, said it best:
“Rick Bennett isn’t an independent voice for Mainers, he’s a Republican in sheep’s clothing. Now that he’s running for governor he wants Mainers to forget that he spent his career working with Paul LePage and opposing Planned Parenthood and MaineCare expansion. Rick Bennett wants Mainers to believe he’s something different — but the receipts tell the real story.”
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