Last week I went to a fundraiser for Graham Platner at a pizza joint in Rockport. Or I tried to. I arrived a half hour early knowing it would be crowded. But I couldn’t find a parking place within a mile of the event. And there was a big crowd gathered outside the building — people unable to get inside. I went home.

According to news accounts, the crowd was several times larger than the campaign expected. Photos in our local paper showed a fair number of gray-haired folks, like me, but there were a lot of younger people too.

Platner has clearly struck a chord with Mainers across the board with his authentic, direct style. And with his emphasis on jobs and affordability. The Democratic Party needs to take note. His message and his style motivate people to get off their couches and participate. I saw what I assumed would be a routine campaign event turn into something unexpected and exciting, even if I didn’t get in.

Catherine LeRoy
Rockland