High School Students Get Ready for Caucuses

Freeport, ME (February 8, 2008)

Chellie Pingree Talks to Freeport High School Students About Getting Involved

Chellie Pingree met with several dozen Freeport High students this morning to talk about the importance of getting involved in the political process and their views on the upcoming Democratic caucuses.

"This is such a critical time in our history," she said, "Everywhere I go people are talking about this election and these students are no exception. They want to see this country going in a different direction and they know how important this election is going to be."

Many of the students were 17 years old and eligible to participate in the caucuses under a new Maine law allowing people who turn 18 by November to vote in caucuses and primaries. Karen Massey, a teacher at Freeport High School, had been talking to her students about participating in the caucuses. When they asked how they should register to vote, she walked with them to the town office in Freeport to sign up.

"They said it was the best field trip they had ever taken."

Pingree, who is running for Congress in Maine's 1st District, got her start in public service in her hometown of North Haven. "In my town the whole school took the day off for town meeting, so from an early age my kids got to see the democratic process up close. And now, at age 31, my daughter Hannah is currently the House Majority Leader in the Maine Legislature."

As Majority Leader in the Maine Senate, Pingree introduced and fought to pass a landmark prescription drug-pricing program. She then ran for the US Senate against Susan Collins in 2002, opposing the war in Iraq at a time when it wasn't politically popular. For four years Pingree served as national President of Common Cause, where she fought for ethics and campaign finance reform and against media consolidation.

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