Maine State Representative Erik C. Jorgensen
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Issues
  • Legislation
  • Occasional Blog
  • Where in Deering?
  • Contact
  • Sec of State

I'm Term Limited!  Candidates in a time of COVID

4/7/2020

1 Comment

 
Because there has been some confusion around it, I wanted to make sure that you all know that after eight years as your state representative, I'm faced with term limits and can't run again.  

Representing Deering Center, the Highlands, Libbytown, Oakdale, Rosemont and other nearby areas ( I refer to them collectively as "Portland's Coolest Neighborhoods") has been a tremendous honor for me, and I have appreciated every day the neighbors who have supported me, reached out with advice and concerns, and who have let me help them untangle their knots with state government.  I've even appreciated (maybe not quite as much) those of you who have from time to time blasted me, because that does give me a chance to explain why I take the positions I do on issues. 

When I first entered office in 2012, the district included the Back Cove. Later, in 2014 I was redistricted to my current area, all on the south of Forest Avenue. But I have long felt that my charge (along with my other Portland Reps) has been to represent the whole city and its interests, particularly with regard to the state budget.  I hope that I have done that effectively.

But the main reason I'm writing today is not to talk about what I've done, but to make sure that you all know about the three experienced, talented and all-round great people who are running for my seat in the primary election. While COVID-19 will surely affect the way that election will look, the election IS going to happen (maybe by mail), and what better thing to do while sheltering in place, than to get to know, even if just virtually, the three folks who are running. They are:

Laurie Davis
facebook.com/Laurie-Davis-for-Maine-House-District-41-112674253711955/

Ben Grant 
https://www.facebook.com/Ben-Grant-for-State-Representative-105623264255576/

Sam Zager
https://samzager.org/

These three people each would bring different experience, skills and expertise to the job, and because they can't knock on many doors right now, I urge you to learn about them, reach out to them by e-mail, give them a call or otherwise get to know them.  If nothing else, it will serve as a tangible reminder that life is going to continue here in our community after the strange moment we are in is over.

In the meantime, I'm still here. Please know that I'm working every day from my own little annex of the State House, my kitchen at 83 Highland St.  I will continue to do so until the new legislature is sworn in in December, so please feel free to be in touch. If you would like to be added to my newsletter list (which features frequent updates on the state's COVID response) I'll sign you up. If you have other issues you want me to be thinking about, or questions I can answer (or ask the experts), please send those along too.  

I was part of a remote meeting with Governor Mills yesterday and she said, in her inimitable way, "There's no 'Coronavirus for Dummies' book that we can grab off the shelf to find a plan - we are just figuring things out one step at a time".  I  remain inspired by her leadership and that of the amazing Dr. Nirav Shah, head of Maine's CDC, in helping to guide us through this unprecedented  moment.  I don't think any state has a better, more experienced team in place to handle this situation. They are literally working around the clock, both to help the state cope with this moment, and to plan what comes next. 

I've never been prouder of our state or this city (Mayor Kate and our Council should be added to the list of leaders rising to the occasion as well), as we work together to make a map of this totally uncharted territory.  But please: meet the candidates, and please stay in touch! 
1 Comment
Judy spross
6/16/2020 08:41:37 pm

Hello, Erik,
Thank you for your 8 years of service, your communications/newsletter to your constituents, and for this helpful Instead and advice re learning
Sincerely,
Judy Spross

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Author

    Erik C. Jorgensen represents Maine House District 41 - Part of Portland. This blog represents his own opinions and not those of the Maine Legislature, Maine Democrats, or anyone else. To read more about me, click here

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2019
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012

    Categories

    All
    126th Legislature
    Angus King
    Baseball
    Bicycle Coalition Of Maine
    Bicycles
    Birds
    Blueberries
    Bonus Depreciation
    Campaign
    Casco Bay High School
    Cat Food
    Courts
    Dakota Access Pipeline
    Difficult Votes
    Electric Cars
    Endorsements
    Energy Mix Solar
    Environment
    General Assistance
    Governor LePage
    Hair Braiding
    Health Care Cost
    Help Fix Me Program
    Hospitals
    Hybrids
    Hydro Power
    Immigrants And Asylum Seekers
    Independent Transportation Network
    Judicial Branch
    League Of Young Voters
    Maine
    Maine Care Expansion
    Maine Conservation Voters
    Maine State Retirement System
    Marriage Equality
    Mayor Brennan
    New Brunswick
    Paul R. LePage
    Portland Business Development
    Portland Community Health Center
    Portland Harbor
    Portland Maine
    Portland Maine
    Project Bazia
    Quebec
    Renewable
    Rep Daughtry
    Rep Jorgensen
    Rep Jorgensen
    Rep. Kruger
    Rep. Richard Farnsworth
    Revenue Sharing
    Riverview Psychiatric Center
    Ryan Reid / Ryan Flaherty
    Senator Gratwick
    Senator Haskell
    Speaker Mark Eves
    Speaker Mark Eves
    Student Debt
    Supplemental Budget
    Tax Conformity
    Transportation
    Voter Education Brigade
    Wildlife
    Zinke

All pages Authorized and © 2012-2020 by The Committee to Elect Erik Jorgensen, 83 Highland Street Portland Maine 04103
​