David Sinclair address voters during a Democratic caucus at Bath City Hall Tuesday. Jason Claffey / The Times Record
A lawyer and former Bath city councilor on Tuesday night won the Democratic nomination to run for Sean Paulhus’ Maine House seat.
David Sinclair defeated author and musician Peter Macdonald Blachly in a 66-27 vote during a Democratic caucus at City Hall. Sinclair will run to finish Paulhus’ term, which ends next year. Paulhus, a Democrat representing House District 50, resigned last month after Gov. Janet Mills appointed him to serve as Sagadahoc County register of probate. Paulhus was in the middle of his third two-year term.
“I want to thank everyone here and those who voted for me,” Sinclair said. “Thank you for your trust. And for those who didn’t, I hope to earn your trust.”
Sinclair, 54, served two terms on the Bath City Council from 2008-2014. He lives in North Bath with his wife and two children. He runs a Bath-based law practice and said he focuses on services for the underprivileged. In 2014, he ran for district attorney as a Democrat, losing to Republican Geoffrey Rushlau. He said he has served on local boards and committees, including the boards of the Bath Area Food Bank and Two Bridges Regional Jail Authority, and helped run local political campaigns.
“My experience with the law, my work on the City Council and my experience running campaigns, I think that each of those alone would … make me a viable, even strong, candidate for House District 50,” he said.
The election is Nov. 7. No Republicans or other candidates have announced plans to run.
Sinclair said if he’s elected, he would focus on affordable housing. He said his beliefs include mitigating climate change and gender- and race-based wage gaps, and promoting women’s reproductive freedom and gender-affirming care.
“I believe on Nov. 7, Bath voters will task to me to go Augusta to work on these and many other important issues,” he said.
He told caucus-goers Tuesday he was born in Damariscotta and grew up poor. He said he has had mental health challenges and knows first-hand how those problems affect Mainers.
“Those issues are not abstract to me,” he said. “Those conversations are about more than data. They’re about more than graphs.”
Destie Hohman Sprague, the executive director of the Maine Women’s Lobby, nominated Sinclair during the caucus.
“His personal and lived experiences and professional experiences give him the opportunity to work in support of the most marginalized people in our communities,” she said. “I see the way those lived experiences connect in … public policy and are so important.”
Peter Macdonald Blachly makes his pitch to Bath Democrats during a caucus Tuesday. Jason Claffey / The Times Record
Blachly, formerly known by his musical stage name Peter Alexander, was nominated by city councilor and former state Rep. Jennifer DeChant, who called Blachly an innovative and selfless citizen committed to issues including social justice, energy and health care. Blachly congratulated Sinclair on his win.
“I’ll do whatever I can to support you,” Blachly said.
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