PRESS NOTICE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Eric Brakey, Secretary for the Elected Maine Delegation
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 207-406-0897
National GOP Muzzles Maine’s Voice at RNC
Tampa, Florida, August 25, 2012 – The RNC Credentials Committee ruled yesterday to overturn the delegate election results of Maine’s Republican Convention. In their decision, 20 elected members of Maine’s delegation were replaced with individuals chosen by the Republican National Committee.
“We are very disappointed in the ruling,” asserted Brent Tweed, the elected Delegation Chair for Maine. “Essentially, they have replaced half of Maine’s duly elected delegates with those of their own choosing. Maine’s delegates should be elected by Mainers. Instead, they are being appointed by nine RNC members from states like California, Mississippi, Washington, Kentucky and Arkansas. For a party that claims to respect states rights and individual rights, the Republican Party should respect the right of Maine to select its own representatives.”
In response to the ruling, Governor Paul LePage---who had previously promised to boycott the Republican National Convention if the duly elected Maine Delegation was not seated---fulfilled his promise. Within minutes of the decision yesterday, the Governor stated, "I have decided not to attend the 2012 Republican National Convention… I made it clear, when the challenge was issued, that I felt the Maine Delegates selected at the Maine Convention should be seated in Tampa. It is unfortunate that not all of these Delegates will be seated.”
“On behalf of all Maine’s duly elected delegates, I thank Paul LePage for his bold, principled stand in support of the democratic process,” added Chairman Tweed. “He has set an example for all public servants.”
Speaking on the delegation’s next move, Tweed stated, “We can carry our heads high. Despite pressures and intimidations to accept backroom deals, we always said no. We refused to forsake our elected duty without a fight. We were elected to serve as Maine’s representatives in Tampa and we are determined to continue to that end. We are not done fighting.”
