Hundreds of Republicans from across Maine will descend on Augusta Friday and Saturday for a political convention that highlights top candidates and sets a party platform.
In addition to choosing delegates to the national convention, rank-and-file Republicans will get a chance to see who’s running for state House and Senate, the U.S. Senate and two U.S. House seats.
And on Friday night, former President Donald Trump’s first spokesman, Sean Spicer, is scheduled to give the keynote address.
“It will be a positive message about President Trump, the state of the country and current affairs,” said Jason Savage, executive director of the Maine Republican Party.
About 1,400 people have signed up to attend the convention at the Augusta Civic Center, a number that could grow to 1,600 when alternates and guests are in attendance, he said.
Although subject to change, an early agenda shows U.S. Sen. Susan Collins scheduled to speak Friday afternoon and the adoption of the party platform on Saturday afternoon.
The draft platform includes principles such as lowering taxes, reducing government regulations and “encouraging individual initiative.” It also states a pledge to defend the right to bear arms and support for policies that prohibit school personnel from withholding information about student identity changes and healthcare services.
Under a section about the family, the platform recognizes the definition of marriage as “the union of one man and one woman” and a belief in the sanctity of human life “from conception to natural death.”
Delegates will be able to adopt the four-page platform as is or offer amendments for the full convention to consider.
When it comes to candidate speeches, former GOP Chairwoman Dr. Demi Kouzounas -- who is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Angus King, an independent, and Democrat David Costello of Brunswick -- is scheduled to speak on Saturday.
Convention-goers will also hear from the candidates running in the June 11 primary for the 2nd Congressional District seat, a contest between Rep. Mike Soboleski of Phillips and Rep. Austin Theriault of Fort Kent.
A 60-minute debate between Soboleski and Theriault is scheduled for Saturday morning, Savage said.
The primary winner will take on U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat, in November.
There’s a GOP primary in the 1st Congressional District as well, with Ron Russell of Kennebunkport running against Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth. The June primary winner will face U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, in November.
Savage said although it’s a presidential year with a lot of focus on the race between Trump and President Joe Biden, the convention will also highlight an increased urgency for Republicans to win back the Maine House and Senate.
“You can look at the convention through a number of prisms,” he said. “This year there will be a much higher focus on electing Republicans to the state Legislature.”
