PORTLAND – Charles Skold today announced that his campaign has earned the endorsement from the Maine People’s Alliance, a leading progressive advocacy organization in Maine. Charles, who is running for State Representative in District 38, is one of only five Democrats statewide that received the group’s endorsement for the July 14 Primary Election—and the only Portland-based candidate selected for endorsement.
Charles Skold is running to “fight for our future,” and promised to be Portland’s “biggest advocate in Augusta” in a recent letter to the Press Herald.
For a 30-year old first-time candidate, Charles has racked up an impressive list of endorsements. In addition to MPA, Charles has been endorsed as Sierra Club’s first-choice candidate in District 38 and is backed by Renew New England, a progressive coalition that featured Bernie Sanders and Ayanna Pressley in a kick-off rally with over 100 endorsed candidates across New England.
“I am supporting Charles for State Representative because he has demonstrated his commitment to fighting for anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies," said Jordan Zema. “He models the responsibility and action we must take if we want to have communities rooted in justice and equity.”
In their endorsement announcement, MPA’s Jim Parakilis said they selected candidates according to a range of demonstrated progressive values—including commitment to racial justice—and the ability to lead the way on the coronavirus pandemic and the all-important electoral re-districting process to be taken up by the next legislature.
These are some of the issues that Charles Skold has centered throughout his campaign for State Representative. Charles has called for ending youth incarceration at Long Creek, fully recognizing Tribal Sovereignty, and protecting our democracy through drawing fair electoral districts next year. When coronavirus hit, Charles transitioned his traditional campaign activities to become a volunteer organizer for neighborhood assistance with MPA’s “Mainers Together,” and advocated for greater voter protections in response to coronavirus.
In conversations with MPA, Charles Skold told MPA members that Donald Trump’s election mobilized him toward action by helping him realize “‘the fight for progressive values is far from over, and that each of us has to step up and join the fight in whatever way we can.’”
If elected, Charles said he would prioritize “action on climate change, including reimagining our public transportation and energy infrastructures, as well as focusing on building ‘more just and equal future through investments in affordable housing, public education, and fair access to broadband internet.’”
In May, Charles also earned the endorsement of Run for Something, a national organization that supports first-time progressive candidates running for local and state office.
“I want to be Portland's strongest advocate up in Augusta,” said Charles Skold. “I’ll fight for Portland’s future, I’ll live out our best values of 'welcome,' and I’ll work with the entire state to solve our common challenges. Because this is home for all of us, and I believe it’s worth fighting for."
