WASHINGTON — Democrats held a critical, must-win special election in Maine SD-7, successfully defeating a well-known Republican candidate who previously represented the district for a decade. DLCC Spotlight candidate Senator-elect Nicole Grohoski was first elected to the Maine House in 2018 and used her time in the state legislature to fight for increased educational investment, secure greater health care accessibility, and increase broadband access. She is a champion for working families and a leader in the fight against climate change. With Grohoski’s election, a historic number of women will serve in the Maine Senate Democratic caucus.
“This tremendous victory is a testament to Nicole Grohoski’s hard work, grit, and commitment to her community,” said DLCC executive director Heather Williams. “She overcame a popular Republican candidate and false attacks about her record by knocking on doors, meeting directly with voters, and making her case for affordable and reliable energy, affordable health care, and quality schools. Nicole will deliver positive results for Hancock County in the state Senate and we couldn’t be happier that there will be a historic number of women in the Maine Senate Democratic caucus.”
Midterm cycles are historically difficult for the president’s party to hold ground, making this victory even more impressive. Both the Maine House and Senate are among the DLCC’s top targets this cycle. That’s why the DLCC has already invested $65,000 in the Maine Democratic Senate caucus and provided critical political and communications guidance, strategic planning, data analysis, and field and organizing support — all of which proved to be successful with the Democratic victory in this race.
Raised in Ellsworth, the daughter of a school nurse and Vietnam veteran, Senator-elect Nicole Grohoski has advocated for her community during her time in the state legislature. Voting to guarantee health care access for people with preexisting conditions, better fund schools and increase teacher pay, and increase local clean energy jobs, Nicole is a proven fighter. Outside of her work in the legislature, Grohoski is a geographic information system specialist and cartographer and works for a small, Maine-based mapping company. In her free time, she volunteers with Meals on Wheels, Green Ellsworth, and the Heart of Ellsworth and is a board member for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
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