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Cynthia Dill is tired of being ignored by national Democrats.

Dill issued a news statement today criticizing “beltway Democrats” for snubbing her, and she sent a letter to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray to request a meeting about the silence from Washington.

In her letter, Dill pointed out that she is the duly-elected Democratic nominee for Maine's open U.S. Senate seat and that she has a legislative voting record of supporting key party principles and the interests of working class Mainers.

The DSCC website is largely silent about Dill compared to other candidates around the country, and actually has more information about Angus King, the independent frontrunner in the race. Press Herald reporter Steve Mistler described the snub in a blog post earlier today.

Dill’s letter to Murray doesn’t mention King by name, but says “there’s ample evidence the unenrolled candidate in this race opposes much of the party’s core agenda.” He supports extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest, she wrote, and as governor vetoed laws that would have expanded family leave and increased the minimum wage.

“With an open U.S. Senate seat at stake in Maine, we trust Democrats in Washington will act to preserve its ‘true blue’ majority by endorsing the candidate with the greatest respect for the Democratic Party and its platform,” Dill wrote.

She was even stronger in her news release.

“The silence from Washington is deafening, has taken voters’ focus from the issues that families care about, and does nothing to address the concerns of the people of Maine,” Dill said. “This is Washington politics and drama once again getting in the way of progress for ordinary Americans, as Beltway insiders broker deals, hedge bets and pick winners and losers. It’s the same old song and dance, and Maine voters are tired of it.”

Dill also said she  had a cordial telephone conversation with Murray today, although she apparently didn’t get any promises.

Maine Democratic Party spokeswoman Lizzy Reinholt said that the DSCC has limited resources to support candidates and that candidates like Dill need to prove that they can be competitive before receiving financial support.

A recent poll commissioned by the Portland Press Herald showed Dill trailing far behind Republican candidate Charlie Summers and independent Angus King. Only 7 percent of respondents said they would vote for her.

Dill's unusual letter got lots of attention among national political bloggers, including one who referred to it on Twitter as the Democrat's "Dill pickle." 

Republicans were buzzing about the letter, too. A National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman called it a "must read" in a post to his Twitter followers.

About the Author

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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