“We’re being dehumanized. They say we want to hurt people, I don’t want to hurt anybody.”
Graham Platner is no longer slated to be the Democratic nominee for Senate from Maine, and the party is rushing to fill that spot after he dropped out over rape allegations. On Thursday night, eight Senate hopefuls took the stage in Maine to make their case to voters.
Among them was Ashley Webb, a transgender songwriter who believes in defunding ICE, ending the war in Iran, reforming healthcare, and wants to use the women's bathroom. Webb looked uncomfortable on stage behind the dais, rocking back and forth when asked questions about his candidacy.
Webb had the opportunity to introduce himself. "I'm Ashley Webb," he said, "I'm from Farmington, Maine. The biggest thing I'd like to get across is that we need unity. Whoever wins this nomination, we need to show up at the polls. We need to vote for them, and we need to make sure they win, no matter what. Because what's going on in this country is not right, with the immigration and immigrants being targeted. They're being rounded up like animals. It's not acceptable to allow this to go on in our streets.
"And then with the trans community. We're being dehumanized. They say we want to hurt people; I don't want to hurt anybody. I just don't want to use the bathroom. And if they want me to use the men's room, I will, I just don't want to be assaulted."
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Moderators asked Webb what made him qualified to run for office. "I've ran for office several times," Webb said, "didn't win, but did run. And then I'm a songwriter, and then I write my own books. And then I suppose my transparency, I wouldn't lie to the people, and I wouldn't deceive the people like we're being deceived right now. Like we get lied, smoke, smoke and mirrors, like what's going on with ICE? Pretend, like pretending these victims did something wrong.
"Like that's unacceptable," Webb said. "And I suppose the biggest thing is like I'm just an angry citizen now, and if I got elected, I'd be an angry senator, and I think that would probably be their worst nightmare."
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Webb and the others were all in agreement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement must be stopped.
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As for Webb's priorities in the Senate, he could focus on healthcare, tariffs, and ending the war in Iran.
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Webb was among eight Democrats who are hoping 601 delegates choose them to replace Platner. The eight were split up into two debates, the first with known Maine politicians, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, and former congressional candidate Jordan Wood. The second hour featured the unknowns, David Costello, Dan Kleban, Elizabeth Dickerson, and Ashley Webb.
Each of them seek to defeat long-time incumbent GOP Senator Susan Collins, whose path to victory is likely much easier with Platner out of the way.
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