Democracy for America endorses Sara Gideon for U.S. Senate in Maine

Today, Democracy for America (DFA) announced its endorsement of Sara Gideon for U.S. Senate in Maine.

The endorsement of Gideon is part of DFA’s 2020 “Flip the Senate” strategy, which aims to (a) hold Senate Republicans accountable for the role they played in enabling Donald Trump’s massive mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis and (b) end Republican control of a body that could halt inclusive populist reform, even with a Democrat in the White House.

To take the majority in the U.S. Senate, Democrats need to gain just four additional seats. Prior to today, the grassroots progressive group has endorsed U.S Senate candidates Rev. Raphael Warnock, Jamie Harrison, Cal Cunningham, and Theresa Greenfield in their seat-flipping U.S. Senate races in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Iowa, respectively.

Statement from DFA CEO Yvette Simpson on the grassroots group’s endorsements of Greenfield for U.S. Senate in Maine:

“Sara Gideon is running for the U.S. Senate to stand up for Mainers, not corporate interests. During her time in the State House, Sara has shown that she can win tough fights, build tested coalitions, and enact policies that help working families thrive.

“We know that Sara Gideon will be a leader in Washington who the progressive movement can work with and that’s why Democracy for America is excited to endorse her in Maine’s race for U.S. Senate.

“Democracy for America’s 1 million members nationwide are particularly excited to stand with Sara Gideon in this race because her victory will, finally, bring to an end Sen. Susan Collins’ career of capitulation to the bigoted, right-wing forces the dominate the Republican Party.

“From her vote to confirm accused rapist Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and acquit Trump in the Senate’s sham impeachment trial to her ascent to Trump’s massive tax giveaway to millionaires and billionaires, Susan Collins has spent the past four years putting what’s good for Donald Trump ahead of what’s good for Mainers. Susan Collins is the most unpopular member of the U.S. Senate for good reason and that’s precisely why every Democrat, including progressives, need to be all in on the fight to retire her once and all.

“Every road to ending Mitch McConnell’s death grip on the U.S. Senate and creating a Democratic majority in the Senate that’s capable of passing the progressive agenda our country desperately needs runs through Maine. It’s time to send Sen. Susan Collins packing, and Democracy for America is honored to fight alongside Sara Gideon to do just that.” -- Yvette Simpson, CEO, Democracy for America

Statement from Maine’s U.S. Senate candidate Sara Gideon on receiving Democracy for America’s support in this race:

“Mainers deserve a senator who fights for them and their families, not big corporations and special interests. Instead, Senator Collins worked with Mitch McConnell to pass a nearly $2 trillion tax break for big corporations at the expense of hardworking people. It’s time for new leaders in the Senate who aren't beholden to special interests -- and that change starts here in Maine. I’m proud to be endorsed by Democracy for America and look forward to working with them to reform Washington and end the influence of big money on politics.” -- Sara Gideon

DFA has 11,167 members in Maine and more than one million members nationwide.