Local political coalition receives grant submitted

photo credit: United Valley Democrats Facebook page

submitted by Megan Marquis

Representatives from the local United Valley Democratic Committee (formerly China Dems) are diligently working alongside Kennebec County Democratic Committee on the Contest Every Race grant. Kennebec County is one of two counties in Maine, where groups are set to receive a $3,000 grant from Movement Labs via their Contest Every Race project. Contest Every Race (CER) is awarding grants to more than 300 political groups nationwide. This is the first year they have included Maine in the grant winners.

CER focuses on strengthening existing local rural organizations on Democratic electoral efforts. It provides an additional layer of resources, technical support, and training for rural and underserved community organizers. The grant program supports rural Democrats to connect with one another, build more power, and support the mission of not leaving any race uncontested.

Nationwide, nearly 100,000 elections go uncontested every year. These positions include municipality, county, and election officials; school board candidates; judges; attorneys; and law enforcement officials such as sheriffs and deputies.

CER to date has helped 5,563 new candidates. 44 percent of the candidates have won their races. Fifty-eight percent of the new candidates have been women of color.

To show your support, join the United Valley Democratic Committee’s End-of-Summer Celebration on Saturday, September 16, from 2 – 8 p.m., at the 327 Stevens Shore Rd., Palermo, ME.