Local Democrats have met in recent months to debrief from the November elections, pass an ambitious budget, and elect new leadership for the coming years.

With generous support from the community during the past election cycle, the Waldo County Democrats are planning a range of activities in 2025, according to a news release.

Former State Representative S. Paige Zeigler, of Montville, was elected Chair of the Waldo County Democratic Committee (WCDC) on January 12 for a two-year term.

He takes the reins after serving in the Legislature for the maximum consecutive time allowed under term limits.

“After spending eight years in the Legislature I know the importance of having a majority so we can continue the work to assist Maine people to have a safe environment for themselves and their children and a living wage," ” Zeigler said, in the release. "We’ll elect good legislators and public officials in office so that Mainers don’t have to worry about putting food on their table or paying for necessary medical help.”

Before joining the Legislature Zeigler retired from the Merchant Marine after 35 years and he is aware of the necessity of teamwork, the release said. 

Valerie Tate was elected as vice chair. She has led the organization’s Campaign Committee and is chair of the Belfast Democratic Committee, after a career as a registered nurse and leading a national nurses union.

Tate said she wants WCDC to, “organize boots on the ground to elect Democrats who will protect the safety, freedoms, and livelihoods of our Waldo County neighbors and fight for working people.”

Tate is especially interested in seeing more people run for local office in their town. 

Gail Chase, of Unity, was re-elected as treasurer and Sarah Hardy, of Stockton Springs, was elected as secretary.

WCDC also elected two new members to its Executive Committee: Cheryl Cassidy, of Lincolnville, Chair of the Engagement Committee, and Sue Conard, of Northport, who organizes postcard mailings each year to thousands of Waldo County voters.

They replace Laura Baker, of Belfast, who chairs the organization’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging Committee, and Philo Hutcheson of Islesboro, who will continue as Chair of the Bylaws and Policy Committee and the Islesboro Democratic Committee. 

The group’s Campaign Committee also has a new chair, Karen Rhyne, of Montville. Karen was the field organizer in Waldo County for the successful campaign to re-elect U.S. Rep. Jared Golden.

Outgoing WCDC Chair Sara Salley, of Liberty, congratulated the new leadership team.

"Leaving the chair’s position is bittersweet, to say the least," she said. "It was a wonderful but exhausting six years," thanking the many local Democrats who volunteered and supported the organization.

Salley remains actively involved in the County Committee and has since been elected Chair of the Maine Democratic Party’s statewide Finance Committee. 

The organization also bid farewell to former Vice Chair Paul Robie, Northport, who stepped down after serving six years, and former Secretary Reeves Gilmore, Northport, who had served the committee in various capacities for more than 10 years. 

Salley, Robie and Gilmore were presented with Letters of Recognition from Governor Janet Mills that stated, “Their work serves as an invaluable reminder that commitment and effort can result in achieving highly important goals in the political world.”

The Waldo County Democratic Committee has more than 100 voting members and several hundred active volunteers working year round to elect Democrats and support Democratic values at every level of government.

Its next event is a Volunteer Work Day for the Waldo County Woodshed followed by a potluck lunch on March 1 in Searsmont. Area Democrats will also join the League of Women Voters for an Advocacy Day in Augusta on February 25. A full calendar of WCDC events can be found at www.waldocountydemocrats.com/calendar.