My long-time friend Ina Garten, the Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, came to Portland this past week for a fundraising reception and luncheon. Almost 250 fans came to hear Ina, and I think that most – if not all – left as Cutler for Governor supporters, as well. I told Ina during our open mic question and answer session that one of the best aspects of her visit was that I got to have lunch with more than 200 Maine women and just a few of their spouses. Our guests asked questions, Ina signed their cookbooks, and we all enjoyed a wonderful lunch of locally grown food. The event was a huge success!
One of the key items that Ina and I talked about was the importance of buying local. Mainers today buy only about 4% of our $3 billion in annual food purchases from local sources. If we increased that to just 10%, we could create more than 20,000 new jobs and increase farm incomes in Maine by $180 million. Plus, we’d all be eating more local, fresh and healthy food!
Ina and I shared a number of laughs during the Q&A.
Later that weekend, Senator Elizabeth Schneider hosted a meet-and-greet for me in Orono. We talked at length about how to lower the cost of living and doing business in Maine so that we can attract investment and create jobs, incomes, and opportunities for Maine people.
Karen Turnstrup asked a number of excellent questions.
I also campaigned during the past week in Westbrook, Hallowell, and Old Town, and we’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at a meet ‘n greet fundraising reception at the Crocker House in Hancock.
P.S. Please help us spread the word of my Independent candidacy by forwarding this email to your friends and family!
More Media Coverage
The Ina Garten visit not only raised money, it also helped garner increased exposure for some of Eliot’s ideas.
The Portland Press Herald, in an article titled “’Barefoot Contessa’ Draws Crowd for Cutler,” covered some of Eliot’s ideas on agriculture and the economy:
“Cutler [used] the opportunity to pitch some of his policy ideas, including a couple linked to Garten’s expertise. He said that Mainers buy only 4 percent of their food from local sources and if that figure was increased to 10 percent, it would produce thousands of jobs and put millions of dollars in Maine farmers’ pockets.”
http://cutler2010.com/2010/08/barefoot-contessa-draws-a-crowd-for-cutler-portland-press-herald/
Former state controller and Cutler supporter Ed Karass penned a hard-hitting op-ed piece titled “Candidate Paul LePage: The Wizard of Waterville?” It appeared in Saturday’s Bangor Daily News, the largest circulation issue of any newspaper in Maine, and laid to rest the mistaken notion that LePage’s record as mayor makes him a good bet as governor.
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/150112.html
The Bangor State Fair: Join us on August 6th!
Eliot and the Cutler 2010 Team will be walking around the Bangor State Fair on Friday, August 6th. Eliot and supporters will be meeting at the Bucks St. entrance at 4:45 pm.
We need supporters (that’s you!) to walk in the parade. If you can participate, please email David@Cutler2010.com for additional details. We hope to see you there!
The Rockland Lobster Festival Parade: Join us on August 7th!
Eliot and the Cutler 2010 Team will be walking in the Rockland Lobster Festival Parade on Saturday, August 7th. Supporters will be lining up to walk with us around 9:00 am and the parade starts at 10:00 am.
We need supporters (that’s you!) to walk in the parade. If you can participate, please email Kaitlin@Cutler2010.com for additional details. We hope to see you there!
The Litchfield Country Festival: Join us on August 7th!
Eliot and the Cutler 2010 Team will be walking around the Litchfield Country Festival on Saturday, August 7th. We will have a booth from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Eliot will be walking around the festival from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
We need supporters (that’s you!) to walk in the parade. If you can participate, please email Matt@Cutler2010.com for additional details. We hope to see you there!
Winter Harbor Lobster Festival Parade: Join us on August 14th!
Cutler 2010 supporters will be walking in the Winter Harbor Lobster Festival Parade on Saturday, August 14th. Supporters will be lining up to walk with us around 4:30 pm and the parade starts at 5:30 pm.
We need supporters (that’s you!) to walk in the parade. If you can participate, please email David@Cutler2010.com for additional details. We hope to see you there!
Every Donation Counts
The response to Eliot’s 60-second TV ad, ”Independent. Just like Maine.” was so great we’re back up on TV today with a new 30-second version. Help us keep it on the air.
Please contribute online today or mail your check to Cutler 2010, P.O. Box 15277, Portland, ME 04112. The maximum contribution is $750 — per individual or business — but every contribution helps.
Our website allows you to make contributions automatically every month. Some of Eliot’s most loyal supporters have chosen this as the best way for them to support the campaign, with contributions of just $10 or $20 a month. That’s a great way to help the campaign!
Thank you.
Stay in Touch with the Campaign
You can follow Eliot’s campaign on our website, www.Cutler2010.com, and on our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.
If you want to get in touch with the campaign, please give us a call at 207-699-4401 (toll free, 877-213-5112) or email us at campaign@cutler2010.com.
Have a great week and I’ll see you on the campaign trail!
