The group Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), which tried unsuccessfully to draft Rep. Chellie Pingree to run for Maine’s open Senate seat, issued the following statement from co-founder Adam Green defending Pingree’s decision not to run:
“Chellie Pingree would have been a bold progressive fighter in the Senate, and we are confident that she will be when Susan Collins retires. Angus King was willing to create a three-way race that handed this Senate seat to a far-right Republican — a precise repeat of what happened in Maine’s 2010 three-way gubernatorial race. Chellie Pingree’s decision was based on what is best for the people of Maine and the future of progressive causes, not based on what was best for herself, and we look forward to continuing our work with her around progressive fights in Congress.”
The PCCC launched Draft Pingree when Sen. Olympia Snowe announced her retirement last week. They had collected over $16,000 for her campaign.
