With the media’s focus on state-level outcomes in the recent election, less attention has been paid to local contests — with the obvious exception of the mayoral race in New York. Yet Democratic victories in local races across the country were astounding.

“Run for Something,” an organization that recruits and supports young progressives running for local and state office, reported that the success rate of its candidates was “phenomenal.” Along with other Democrats, they won school board seats, were elected mayors, will sit on town councils and serve as district attorneys. These victories occurred throughout the country in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Minnesota, Texas, Kansas, Iowa and Colorado, to name just a few. Often, our leaders begin their political careers running for local office.

Republicans have recognized the power of local control at least for the past 10 years. Maine is currently experiencing the consequences of this strategy in disrupted school board and town council meetings. It is up to us, the voters, to carefully assess the qualifications, political positions and agendas of candidates for local office. I hope that Maine’s current local officials will act in the interests of their constituents and contribute to the public good, that Maine voters will pay attention to local elections in the future, and that progressive candidates will run for local elections in Maine.

Linda Wilcox
Monmouth