Team Troy Canvasses in Rockland, L/A. Brunswick, Bangor & York County
PHOTO: Team Troy canvassers in Bangor.
For the past several weeks, union members have been knocking on doors all over Maine for Troy Jackson for Governor. Maine AFL-CIO canvass teams have been knocking on doors in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Knox and Penobscot Counties. Union members and non-union volunteers have been talking to voters about why Troy is the strongest and most electable candidate to address the cost of living and improve material conditions for working-class Mainers.
Painters Union (IUPAT) members Pat Welch and Billy Bergeron have been knocking on doors for Troy in York and Cumberland County since late March/early April. The pair have been hitting union member doors in York, Kittery, Eliot, South Berwick, Lewiston and Auburn. This week, Welch has been contacting union members in Berwick and North Berwick, while Bergeron has been engaging voters in Brunswick and the Deering neighborhood of Portland.
“It's really, really been a great experience for me personally,” said Bergeron. “I've never done anything like this before. I've been in the union a while and always heard about door knocking and been offered to go out, but I never had time because I hold a bunch of different roles in the union.”
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Bergeron is from Maine, but has been living and working down in Massachusetts for the past seven years. He said he had to get back up to speed on Maine politics, but after meeting Troy and learning more about him he was an easy sell as a fellow union brother who is laser focused on improving the lives of working-class people. From his experience knocking on doors, Bergeron says a lot of people are undecided about the governor’s race and are unfamiliar with Jackson, so voters are really eager for more information about him.
“Most of them weren't really tuned in whatsoever and didn't really have anybody in mind,” said Bergeron. “And then after giving them my spiel, I've had a lot of success where people that hadn't even heard of them said, ‘Put me down for a strong Jackson.’ It's really cool and rewarding because his message resonates with so many people.”
IAM Local S6 member Joe Mailey, who has been driving around canvassers in the Lewiston/Auburn area, says he is hearing a lot of great feedback from canvassers about their experiences at doors.
“Troy stands heads and shoulders above all of the other candidates and it’s really important we inform voters about his candidacy,” said Mailey.
Team Troy canvassers in Rockland.
Carla Poindexter White of South Thomaston has been co-leading a canvassing team in Knox County and has been knocking on doors in Rockland.
“In Rockland we have men, women, unionized and non-unionized, retirees, working people, people from different towns, experienced and brand-new door knockers canvassing together,” said White. “That kind of diversity makes me proud and is a powerful reflection of the broad base of support Troy has. With over 800 doors to get to and early voting starting in just two weeks, we need more boots on the ground.”
White had never canvassed before, but was driven to get out of her comfort zone because she strongly believes Troy is who Maine needs to lead us, given his solid record in the Legislature and his strong pro-worker platform. She said while most voters she’s spoken to are undecided in the governor’s race, they also "hungry for information and genuinely appreciative” to hear about Troy.
“It is clear many have not found other candidates inspiring and there is I would say a pretty pervasive disgust with the establishment. But eyes light up when hearing about Troy, his background, years of work on behalf of regular Mainers, and that he's not in this race for personal gain but to get badly needed things done to make Maine a state that prioritizes economic and social justice,” said White. “His endorsement by Bernie Sanders and bills of his that were vetoed by Mills get people's attention, as do his tax plan and strong statements of how as Governor he will handle ICE. Number 1 in many people's minds is who is the strongest candidate to win in November, who of course is clearly Troy.”
If you support Troy, please consider signing up to do a canvass! This door knocking campaign is not only critical to Troy’s success in June, but it’s also fun!