Open letter to Hillary Clinton from Maine Republican women

March 28, 2018

Former Secretary Clinton:

We are writing you to express our disappointment in your recent comments regarding women voters that were most unhelpful and, frankly, insulting.

The votes we women cast here in Maine are not determined by our husbands, our fathers, or our sons. We determine them. We are Republicans because we believe in strong Maine families, economics that lead to prosperity instead of misery, and a strong national defense that will keep our country safe. 

Republican values are not male or female—they are American. Further, Maine Republicans have led the nation in electing women to high office. You may recall that one of America’s early female Senators, Republican Margaret Chase Smith, was from Maine. We also repeatedly elected past Republican colleagues of yours to the U.S. Senate—former Senator Olympia J. Snowe and current Senator Susan M. Collins. Do you believe these great leaders were forced by men to be Republicans?

Sadly, you have blamed one outside force or another for your loss in 2016. In truth, there is nothing and no one to blame but your campaign and yourself. 

Suggesting we women are dictated how to vote by men is deeply offensive. We are strong, independent women in Maine, and your suggesting otherwise only shows one of the many reasons so many women did not find you to be a compelling candidate.

We sincerely hope you learn from your mistakes and learn to have more respect for our gender. It is sorely needed.

Sincerely,

Demi Kouzounas
Chair
Maine Republican Party

Patti Gagne
Chair
Androscoggin County Republican Committee

Cindy Nesbit
Chair
Sagadahoc County Republican Committee

Sarah Cognata
Chair
York County Republican Committee

Cindy Johansen
Chair
Aroostook County Republican Committee

Laura B. Parker
Chair
Kennebec County Republican Committee

Karen Lockwood
Vice Chair
​Cumberland County Republican Committee

Brianna Tibbetts
York County State Committeewoman

Anne M. Page
Bangor

Sandra Dunham
Cape Elizabeth

Mary Palange
Belgrade

Kelly Weymouth
Buxton, Maine 

May Bouchard
East Orland

Rhonda Prime
Freeport

Nancy Ganem-Bond
At-large State Republican Committee 

Gail Lemont
Kittery

Judy Hurst
Ocean Park

Ardys Arlin
Belmont

Betsy Stevens
Wells

Debra Morin-Ouellette
Poland

Shelley Rudnicki
School Board Chair and Candidate for House Seat #108 
Fairfield 

Lona Gagnon
Millinocket

Kathleen McLaughlin
Otisfield

Sherry Perry
Vassalboro

Mary Kay Santoro
Parkman

Terry Morris
Maine

Sandra Seifert
Southport

Barbara West
South Paris

Joan Petersen
Swanville

Cathy Lynn Bryant
Maine

Irene Single
Lyman

Beverly Olean
Lebanon, Maine

Leslie T. Dubois
Candidate for Maine House District 60 and former Lewiston City Councilor

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If you are a Republican woman from Maine and would like to add your name to this letter, please email [email protected].

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