Chellie Pingree for Congress Records Biggest Fundraising Quarter of Campaign

Campaign Continues to Build Momentum, surpasses $1 million mark from nearly 5,000 donors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/15/08                                                Contact:  Willy Ritch  207-841-8400

The first quarter of 2008 was the biggest so far for Chellie Pingree’s First District Congressional Campaign.  Pingree raised $338,687 between January 1st and March 31st, bringing total contributions for the campaign to $1,122,236. Cash on hand is $569,958.

“I’m honored and grateful for the support of people from all over the First District, from all over Maine and from all over the country,” Pingree said.  “2008 is the most important election of our lifetime, and it’s clear from the level of enthusiasm out there it’s also going to be one of the most exciting. From fixing the economy to ending the war in Iraq to universal health care, people want to see big changes.”

Jackie Potter, Pingree’s Finance Chair, said Chellie’s campaign has caught the attention of many voters who weren’t in the habit of making political contributions.  “A lot of the people who have donated to Chellie’s campaign say they have never contributed to a campaign before,” she said, “but they feel this election is too important to sit out.”

Nearly 5,000 people have made contributions since the campaign began. First quarter contributions from Maine alone total nearly $100,000 and over 1,000 contributions have been made online.

Hope Graf, 83, of Topsham said Pingree is the first candidate she’s ever given to. “When I saw Chellie speak, I said to myself, ‘O.K., if I’m ever going to do it for anyone, she’s the one.’” Graf made two $50 contributions to Chellie. 

Rozanna Patane of York Harbor is a financial planner and investment advisor who gave $250 over three contributions. “Every time I hear Chellie present her point of view, I find myself nodding my head,” she said.

Steve Ward of Newcastle served as the Maine Public Advocate for 21 years and got to know Chellie when she was in the State Senate. “She is easy to work with as a colleague—very grounded and down to earth—that’s a quality that I admire,” he said. “Talking to Chellie is like talking to your neighbor—you get a straightforward opinion that isn’t hedged,” he added.

[More donor profiles attached.]

Chellie Pingree is a Democratic Candidate in Maine’s First Congressional District. 

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More Profiles of Pingree Supporters

“The biggest thing for me is that she is an absolutely straight shooter.” 

Hope Graf, Topsham.

Hope Graf was born in 1925 in Middletown, Connecticut, and came to Maine to attend Colby College, where she graduated in 1949.  After college she became a high school English teacher.  “I have never given to a political campaign until this,” she said.  “When I saw Chellie at the Highlands [in Topsham], I said to myself ‘O.K., if I’m ever going to do it for anyone, she’s the one.’

“Every time I’ve heard her speak, every time I’ve read something she’s written, I can see that she is absolutely straightforward.  She is so disinclined to play around with the political powers when she believes in something. Her sense of decency and purpose are impressive.”

Hope gave Chellie $50 when she saw her at the Highlands and followed up with another $50 contribution a few months later.

“Talking to Chellie is like talking to your neighbor—you get a straightforward opinion that isn’t hedged.”

Stephen Ward, Newcastle

Steve served for 21 years as Maine’s Public Advocate and got to know Chellie when she was in the State Senate. “She is easy to work with as a colleague. Very grounded and down to earth—that’s a quality that I admire.

“I was a strong supporter of Chellie’s U.S. Senate run in 2002, and I remember being with her the week after 9/11 at a campaign event in Walpole. Everyone was shaken, as you can imagine, but Chellie was very clear about not going along with an attack against Iraq.  I was impressed with her level-headedness and judgment.”

Steve says he also once ended up on a plane with Chellie coming back from Washington. “I’ll never forget that trip,” he said, “because I had to borrow $10 from Chellie to pay for my parking.”

In addition to doing some door-to-door canvassing for Chellie in Newcastle, Steve made one $50 contribution and two $200 contributions. 

”The more I read about her the more I was inspired to do something.”

Heather Deese, Union

Heather Deese and her husband Brendan Riordan from Union had a house party where they raised money for Chellie’s campaign.  Heather, 32, is a graduate student studying oceanography and a mother of two.   It was the first time she hosted a house party for a political candidate. “I heard about Chellie and was impressed by her achievements and I am excited about the prospect of extending our Democratic congressional influence in Washington.

“She seems to have an unusual amount of integrity and is very straightforward about the issues she really believes in. And when she decides to go to bat for something she doesn’t pull any punches.”

“Every time I hear her present her point of view I find myself nodding my head”

Rozanna Patane, York Harbor

Sixty-one-year-old Rozanna Patane grew up in Biddeford. She worked in investment banking in Chicago and then as an executive at Digital before returning to Maine, where she is a financial planner and investment advisor. She met up with Chellie at a dinner in Wells. “I like Chellie’s wonderful experience but more importantly is the courage that she showed in standing up for the Maine Rx program while in the legislature. She is also right on target on every issue that I care about.

“And thank goodness we finally have a chance to send a really good woman to Maine who is a Democrat.” 

Rozanna has contributed three times to Chellie’s campaign, giving $100 twice and $50 another time.