National LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorses Charles Skold in State House 119

May 24, 2022

LGBTQ group is latest endorsement for Skold, after recent endorsements from Sierra Club, Rep. Mike Sylvester, and other local elected leaders.

PORTLAND – Charles Skold today announced he has earned the endorsement of LGBTQ Victory Fund, a national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office. Charles is the third candidate for Maine State House endorsed by Victory Fund this year, following endorsements for Rep. Lois Reckett of South Portland and Rep. Laurie Osher of Orono.

“In every corner of our country, LGBTQ leaders and community organizers are running to stand up for our community and enact good public policy grounded in equity and acceptance,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “We are proud to endorse these exceptional candidates who have answered the call to service, despite the barrage of anti-LGBTQ attacks. Their strength and resilience are already changing hearts and minds in communities across the country – we see it every day. This November will be one of the most high-stakes elections for the LGBTQ community. It’s time for us to solidify our political power, make our voices heard and shatter expectations.”

“It’s an honor to be endorsed by LGBTQ Victory Fund as I join a diverse array of LGBTQ candidates running for office all around the country,” said Skold. “I will be a strong advocate for equality in Augusta, from gay and trans rights to abortion access and more. We all need each other in this fight for our future.”

The endorsement from Victory Fund comes on the heels of endorsements from Sierra Club of Maine and Rep. Mike Sylvester, announced earlier this week. Skold's website also lists endorsements from Portland City Councilors Andrew Zarro and April Fournier, and Portland Charter Commissioners Pat Washburn and Marpheen Chann.

Having grown up in a conservative Maine household, Skold eventually became a progressive advocate, came out as gay, and worked in 2020 on the Biden campaign as Deputy Director of Operations for the state. Skold made the decision to run for State Representative in District 119 after learning that Mike Sylvester would not be seeking a fourth term in office. 

“I’ve seen that change is possible, and I know it’s needed now more than ever,” said Skold. “I believe that if we want to change our future, we must be willing to be the change, ourselves.”

For more information on Charles Skold, visit CharlesForPortland.com. You can also find Charles Skold on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Charles Skold Announces Endorsements from Sierra Club and Representative Mike Sylvester

May 23, 2022

Only candidate in race for District 119 to receive endorsements from Sierra Club of Maine and outgoing Representative Mike Sylvester.

PORTLAND – Charles Skold today announced he has earned the endorsement of Sierra Club of Maine in his campaign to be one of Portland’s newest State Representatives. Skold also announced the support of three-term Representative Mike Sylvester of Peaks Island, who declined to seek a fourth term in the newly created District 119. Charles was recently the Chair of the Portland Democratic Party and has been an active member of Sierra Club’s local Climate Action Team in Portland. 

“Sierra Club is a leading advocate for environmental protection, for the preservation of public lands, and for a fossil-free energy future,” said Sierra Club Political Team Chair Claudia King in her email announcing the Maine chapter’s endorsement of Skold. “We are committed to finding an equitable, inclusive and just path forward. We highly value  the commitment of candidates to our shared goals, and through our endorsement process we seek to encourage and support candidates with these values.”

Skold is the only candidate running for House District 119 to receive Sierra Club’s endorsement, and he has made climate change a signature issue of his campaign.

“We only have a few years left to make the kind of large-scale changes that can help us avert climate disaster,” said Skold. “I’m honored to receive Sierra Club’s endorsement in this race, and I’m encouraged to see how many people in Portland and across this state are taking climate change seriously and demanding solutions as large as the problems that brought us here.”

Skold also received the endorsement of Rep. Mike Sylvester, who was first elected to Represent Portland’s East End and Island communities in 2016. 

“When I decided not to run for my 4th term, I was hoping someone would run who had a different lived experience and could bring a new voice to Augusta,” said Rep. Mike Sylvester. “Charles is just the kind of person that I was hoping would fill my seat. He’ll uphold the values of our district with honest leadership.” 

“I’m honored to have Mike’s support,” said Skold. “Mike Sylvester has been an incredible leader in Augusta, especially in the ways he has advocated to improve the lives and working conditions of everyday Maine people. As Representative I’ll continue fighting for the kind of progress Mike has won for the people of Portland.”

Originally from Freeport, Charles Skold returned to Maine after completing a Master in Public Administration and a Master of Theological Studies at Harvard University. Having grown up in a conservative Republican household, Skold eventually became a progressive advocate, came out as gay, and worked in 2020 on the Biden campaign as Deputy Director of Operations for the state. Skold made the decision to run for State Representative in District 119 after learning that Mike Sylvester would not be seeking a fourth term in office. 

“I’ve seen that change is possible, and I know it’s needed now more than ever,” said Skold. “I believe that if we want to change our future, we must be willing to be the change, ourselves.”

For more information on Charles Skold, visit CharlesForPortland.com. You can also find Charles Skold on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Portland Democrats Chair Charles Skold Announces Campaign for State Representative

March 21, 2022

Pledges to fight for Portland’s future in Augusta, work with entire state to solve common threats from climate change, unaffordable housing, growing inequality.

PORTLAND – Charles Skold yesterday announced his candidacy for State Representative in District 119. Skold made the announcement during the Sunday night meeting of the Portland Democratic City Committee, where he has been serving as Chair since being elected head of the local party in late 2020. Skold told the group he will be stepping down at the end of the month to abide by the local party committee’s standing requirement that officers remain neutral in Democratic primaries.

“Here in Portland and across Casco Bay, the threats of climate change, unaffordable housing, and growing inequality are already at our doorstep,” said Skold. “But I believe we still have time to fight for our future. We still have a window of opportunity in our city and up in Augusta to come together and create a future for all of us.”

In his term as Chair of the Portland Democrats, Charles Skold worked to help elect Democrats to the Portland Charter Commission in 2021 and recently led the committee to make an endorsement of LD 1626 in support of restoring Tribal Sovereignty. If elected to serve in Augusta, Skold will continue advocating for Democratic values in addition to promoting action on affordable housing and climate change. A local advocate, Skold is a member of the Portland Climate Action Team and Co-Chair of the St. Luke’s Cathedral Public Policy and Environmental Action Team.

Charles Skold also unveiled a number of community endorsements on his website, including some from currently elected officials in Portland. Charter Commissioners Pat Washburn and Marpheen Chann are lending their support, along with City Councilor Andrew Zarro. Recent City Council At-Large candidate Travis Curran also announced an endorsement for Skold. 

“From climate to housing to LGBTQ+ representation, I know Charles will be a strong advocate in Augusta for all of us here in Portland,” said Councilor Zarro.

“Charles is committed to working on behalf of all our residents to ensure that Portland and Maine are a safe and stable place to live, work, and raise families,” said Councilor Fournier.

“I’ve seen Charles in action. He brings people together and helps them move forward, with special concern for the vulnerable members of our community,” said Commissioner Washburn.

“Charles has the skills and experience to represent the district and has been involved in the community in many ways,” said Commissioner Chann.

“As someone who works in the restaurant industry and rents in this city, I trust Charles will represent us and our interests in the State House,” said Curran.

Originally from Freeport, Charles Skold returned to Maine after completing a Master in Public Administration and a Master of Theological Studies at Harvard University. Having grown up in a conservative Republican household, Skold eventually became a progressive advocate, came out as gay, and worked in 2020 on the Biden campaign as Deputy Director of Operations for the state. Skold made the decision to run for State Representative in District 119 after learning that Mike Sylvester would not be seeking a fourth term in office. 

“I’ve seen that change is possible, and I know it’s needed now more than ever,” said Skold. “I believe that if we want to change our future, we must be willing to be the change, ourselves.”

If Charles Skold wins the June 14th Democratic Primary, he will face Republican candidate Peter Doyle, who is listed online as the Treasurer and past Chair of the Portland Republican City Committee.

For more information on Charles Skold, visit CharlesForPortland.com. You can also find Charles Skold on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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