By Lauren LePage
For too long, American politics has drifted toward tribalism. Democrats talk to
Democrats, Republicans talk to Republicans. Look no further than the successful
election of Jay Jones as Attorney General in Virginia. His vile remarks calling for political
violence against a Republican lawmaker was met with electoral success. This is a wake-
up call for those of us in blue states. We must build coalitions broader than our own
echo chamber if we want to win.
Independents are the voters who actually decide elections in Maine, and often they are
left wondering whether or not we see the issues they care about. They are tired of
partisan outrage. They want relief. As Republicans, we believe in lower taxes,
responsible spending, ridding government waste, and working for the taxpayer. If we
want to win statewide, we have to make our case in a way that resonates with a broader
coalition. People are feeling the squeeze of Maine’s affordability crisis, which lies
squarely at the feet of Maine Democrats who have been in power for almost eight years.
Ask any Mainer their number one issue, regardless of political affiliation: Everything
costs too much. Electricity rates are high, property taxes are skyrocketing, housing
costs are driving generations out of home ownership, and health insurance premiums
are headed for double-digit increases. This didn’t happen by accident. The affordability
crisis is the direct result of policies pushed by Maine’s liberal elite.
Take electricity. Instead of focusing on affordable power sources, Democrats doubled
down on green mandates that punish ratepayers and reward special interests groups.
The result? Soaring electricity bills that are completely unaffordable for most Maine
families, especially those in rural Maine.
Health insurance? Augusta has layered regulation upon regulation, driving insurers out
of the market and leaving families with fewer choices at higher prices. Maine doesn’t
need more bureaucracy. It needs competition, flexibility and radical transparency.
Patients should come before politics, always.
Property taxes are a crisis. The public school system is costing more year after year, but
test scores are plummeting. More money, worse results. Can you imagine getting paid
more for producing less?
And housing, the most heartbreaking for younger Mainers. Democrats are imposing
nonsensical green mandates that have increased the costs of building dramatically.
Young families can’t buy homes, seniors can’t downsize, and workers can’t live near
their jobs. Unless we address the underlying cost of housing, the dream of owning a
home will be shattered for generations.
If we don’t win in November, we won’t win again. Even worse, we won’t be able to fix
the cultural issues plaguing our state. Extreme woke-ness is destroying institutions.
However, the vast majority of voters won’t cast their ballot on these issues. They will
vote with their wallets. We need to meet voters where they are at: Affordability.
Most of the conservative dialogue on social media is not aimed at winning elections. It’s
aimed at preaching to the choir. We celebrate social media reactions, viral videos and
confuse likes with persuasion. I’ve worked in Maine politics for 15 years, and if there’s
one lesson worth repeating, it’s this: social media outrage does not translate to votes on
Election Day. If we want to win, the messaging battle starts now – even in the midst of
competitive primaries.
Every Republican legislator, candidate, activist, and volunteer must take our message,
the affordability message, outside our own circles. Talk to independents. Talk to working
families. Talk to people who haven’t voted Republican in years but are exhausted by the
cost of living and open to someone who will finally fight for them. Tell them why prices
are so high in Maine. It’s not because of President Trump. It’s because of Maine
Democrats.
Affordability is OUR issue. We have a good story to tell. We have solutions. We can’t
afford to only talk to each other. The stakes are too high. This is our moment to break
out of the echo chamber, speak boldly, and lead with the issue Mainers care about
most: making this state affordable again.
If we do that, and if we do it aggressively, Maine will be ready to elect Republican
leadership again.
Lauren LePage is Maine’s National Committeewoman to the Republican National Committee.
