Kathleen Marra Elected to Serve as Maine Democratic Party Chair

Erik Gundersen elected to serve as Vice Chair; 

Both will begin their two-year terms immediately

Augusta, MAINE - Today, the Maine Democratic State Committee—the governing body of the Maine Democratic Party—elected Kathleen Marra and Erik Gundersen to serve two-year terms as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

“I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Maine Democratic Party and humbled by the trust that the Maine Democratic State Committee has placed in me,” said Maine Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Marra. “The Democratic Party is a reflection of America. We are a diverse group, and although we don’t always agree, the experiences, issues, and ideals we each bring to the table make us a vibrant Party that represents the interests of our state and our nation.”

“With Governor Mills in the Blaine House, majorities in both the Maine House and Senate, and two Democratic Members for Congress, I’m confident that Maine is on the right track,” said Vice Chair Erik Gundersen. “However, we know all too well that can change quickly. We are all grateful of the unprecedented work our Party did in 2018, but we must continue that great work in order to fully restore Maine to the state we know and love.”

The outgoing Chair and Vice Chair, Phil Bartlett and Peggy Schaffer, congratulated Marra and Gundersen on their victories.

“We are confident that the work we’ve done over the last four years has positioned the party for success heading into the next election cycle,” said Bartlett and Schaffer. “We wish Kathleen, Erik, and everyone associated with the Maine Democratic Party the very best of luck.”

Prior to today’s election, Governor Janet Mills endorsed Marra’s candidacy in a statement that was circulated to members of the Maine Democratic State Committee.

“Of the people running for Party Chair, I am most familiar with Kathleen Marra, who has campaigned vigorously for candidates up and down the ticket and would be a well organized and thoughtful leader of the Party. If I were a member of the State Committee, I would be proud to cast a vote for Kathleen Marra.”

Marra has previously served as a Chair of the Kittery Democratic Committee, Vice Chair of the York County Democratic Committee, and as a member of the Democratic State Committee. She attended the Women’s Campaign School at Yale Law School this past summer and is currently in the Master’s of Political Management Program at George Washington University. 

Gundersen currently serves as a Policy Advisor to Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, and has spent the last eight years working for Maine House Democrats in various capacities.

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