My journey to the Libertarian Party has been anything but direct, but that’s a story for another day. It was my experience this past year that led me to this point, and to my new position as the Cumberland County Chair for the Libertarian Party of Maine. Last year, in the midst of all of America’s exposed wounds, feeling as if they were also my own, I came to a major crossroads. Consumed with an overwhelming feeling of helplessness, I had only two choices: to bury my head in the sand — or to go all in.
So, here I am, energized and ready to grow the party in Cumberland County! Excited to connect with people on a human level about real issues that are important and unique to us all. That’s what excites me about the LP; it really is the only party that caters to each and every one of us as individuals. I’m looking forward to talking to and relating to people about the same reservations I had. I spent the past year talking to hundreds of people about libertarianism, and our 2020 presidential candidate Dr. Jo Jorgensen. What I heard over and over was that this election was too important to vote for a Libertarian, and now was not the time (or they “totally would!”). People were frustrated and ready for change, but too afraid to do anything about it. I’m not going to spend my time as the Cumberland chair trying to convince people to subscribe to the party, but instead have a lot of great conversations about the things the party is doing to fight for our liberty in Maine. In time, the party sells itself.
I’m ready to hit the ground running with the LPME on the many great things that are happening, and I’ve begun to brainstorm with Dylan Oliver, the Young Americans for Liberty State Chair. We will be working together on a mission to educate and mobilize young voters and gain momentum with a generation that is not yet weary of fighting for liberty.
What I’m most looking forward to, is talking to the many Libertarians who feel like they have no voices. I’m calling on any of you who are ready for change to step outside your comfort zone, attend our meetups, and bring a friend or three. If that’s not your style, we’ll help you figure out what is! The real challenge isn’t growing the party; it already exists in so many who remain silent at home, feeling unrepresented. This movement exists in so many who don’t even know it yet. The challenge is moving people from that feeling of helplessness to hope and advocacy. My main goal throughout the county is to get you plugged in, and then get you to registration drives when you feel ready to spread your wings.
I hope to spend time getting to know the voters in my city of Westbrook, bringing together those who feel unheard, advocating for our liberty, and finding someone in each municipality in Cumberland County to lead and do the same. You are not alone on an island — let’s navigate this territory together and show our state what a united party looks like. Let’s lean on the support of the experienced Libertarians who have been fighting in the trenches to build the party this far. It’s time to level up.
Why is all of this so important to me? Because so many men and women sacrifice so much, and it is up to us to make that count for something. Because fighting for Liberty and Justice for ALL of us is the only solution that makes sense to unite us when we’re so divided. Because it’s important for my children to see me fighting for what’s right, even when it’s an uphill battle. I want them to see me represent the slogan on our family’s motivational painted rock, “Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.”
This chair seat is so important to me because I’m so disgusted by the way people are communicating with each other — by the way kindness has taken a back seat. I’m disgusted by the way corrupt money has bought out our natural-born right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. I’m disgusted by the political system that pushes on us candidates who don’t represent us, lie to us, and force our votes, while silencing real representation. I’m disgusted that while doing so, they make our lives increasingly more difficult, and then label themselves as our saviors. I can no longer sit idly by and submit to defeat, and if I can inspire even one more person to do the same, I count that as a win.
Thank you and stay tuned,
Rebbecca Tuck
Cumberland County Chair, LPME
