What I Shared at the Knox County Dems Caucus About Why I'm Running and What I'll Fight For

It was great to chat with voters today at the Knox County Democratic Caucus and share why I’m running to serve the people of Camden and Rockport in the State House.

Here’s what I told the hundreds of enthusiastic people who gathered together to hear from Democratic candidates across Knox County:

Good afternoon Knox County Democrats!

I’m Marcus Mrowka, and I’m running to serve the people of Camden and Rockport in the State House.

I love my community. This is my chosen home, and my partner and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

But it’s getting harder and harder for folks to afford to live, work, raise a family, and thrive in our area.

I’m running because I believe a better future is possible—for all. And we need leaders who will fight for that better future with everything they’ve got.

I was raised by my grandma who came of age during the Great Depression and World War II. She instilled in me New Deal values of hard work, fairness, and a deep understanding that we’re all in this together.

When I was eight years old she sat me down and said, Marcus, Republicans are for the rich and Democrats are for the poor…and we’re not rich. That’s the kind of Democrat I am. I’m from the working class, and I will always stand up for the working class.

And when she passed away when I was 10, it was my public schools and my teachers that created the safe, nurturing, supportive place I needed to escape a dangerous home environment and gain the confidence that I could create a better future for myself.

I’ve spent my career fighting for those New Deal values I was raised with and for every kid to have the same great public schools I had…

In the labor movement, fighting alongside working people at SEIU and AFT to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions, and pass legislation like the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street Reform.

Working with people like Senator Elizabeth Warren and economist Joe Stiglitz on agendas to rewrite the rules of the economy at the Roosevelt Institute.

Championing the great public schools all kids deserve at the American Federation of Teachers, the Maine Department of Education, by creating the Teach Maine Center, and through my many years as your school board chair.

And as a small business owner, helping unions and nonprofits drive change.

I have the guts to stand up for what’s right and the know-how to get things done.

On affordability—making housing, healthcare, and childcare more accessible and affordable.

Promoting opportunity—strengthening our public schools, expanding Career and Tech Ed, supporting educators, and making it easier to start and sustain the small businesses the power Maine communities.

Defending our freedoms. State Houses are an essential line of defense against the Trump administration’s assault on freedom and democracy. I’ll fight these attacks head on.

This is a make-or-break moment. Everything we care about is on the line. And we need people in office who can get results.

I’m the only candidate in this race with the experience and leadership to deliver for you on day one.

Vote for me on June 9, and let’s build a better future together.