Republican Les Gibson, who recently garnered national headlines for savagely insulting two students who survived the Parkland school shooting, will now face a Democratic challenger in the race for Maine State House District 57, which includes the towns of Sabattus and Green.
Democrat Eryn Gilchrist, who announced her candidacy on Thursday, said she was prompted to enter the race after reading about Gibson’s remarks.
“I never thought I would run for office, and I was perfectly content with just remaining a member of the community, but after reading Mr. Gibson’s comments I thought that the people of Greene and Sabattus deserved a representative who will respect people and try to work through their differences to make our lives better,” said Gilchrist. “That’s what I pledge to do if I am lucky enough to be elected, and I look forward to working hard over the next several months to earn the trust and support of people throughout my community.”
Gibson was previously running unopposed.
Stoneman Douglas High School student David Hogg, who Gibson called a “bald-faced liar,” had put a call out after the remark had been publicized for “friends in Maine” to “run against this hate-loving politician.”
And Gilchrist decided to do just that. She reportedly spent much of this past week, working through the massive snowstorm, collecting signatures, which she submitted before Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline.
“We could not be happier to have Eryn run,” said Sara Gideon, Speaker of the Maine House. “She is a concerned member of her community who cares about the future of her neighbors – and, like many other Democrats across Maine, she’s now stepping up to help them.”
An ActBlue page created by the Lewiston Democratic Committee has already raised more than $30,000. They have pledged to “use every dollar to beat Gibson and his hateful allies.”
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