In a competitive Maine Senate race, women voters could be the deciders
The Maine Senate race is heating up as Democrats look to replace a candidate who dropped out due to scandal. The election outcome may hinge on the support of women voters, who represent a significant portion of the electorate.
Why it matters
Women voters are a critical demographic in competitive U.S. elections, and their shifting allegiances can determine the balance of power in the Senate.
BANGOR, Maine — On an 89-acre farm in Belmont, Maine, Stacy Leafsong is finishing up a series of intricate flower arrangements for an upcoming wedding. With pops of blue and white, the flowers mirror the colors of the coast, just a short drive to the east.
"I do flowers seven days a week, literally live and breathe flowers all the time," she said with a laugh.
Leafsong is also a progressive organizer, and at the farm last summer, she hosted Graham Platner's first fundraiser for his U.S. Senate campaign. She watched his rise and eventual fall, ending last month when he suspended his campaign over an allegation of rape, which he denies.
Leafsong, a domestic violence survivor, denounced him before then, after growing concerned by previous reporting about Platner's behavior towards women. Now, she's supporting Troy Jackson, the progressive former state senator who Democrats nominated to replace Platner.
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