NEW YORK (TIP): Indian origin Democrat Sara Gideon, the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, on Tuesday July 14 formally became the Democratic nominee to challenge Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.

“We did it! Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign to elect a senator who will fight for Mainers—not special interests,” Gideon said in a tweet after her victory.

“We are facing unprecedented challenges right now. The coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten our health, our safety, and our economy. And a broken Washington fails to take action because politicians put special interests and partisan politics before the people they’re supposed to represent. If we are going to come together and make real progress to improve the lives of people here in Maine and across the country, then we need new leadership. Because, after 24 years in Washington, Senator Collins has become part of that broken system, putting special interests and her political party first”, she further said in a statement.

Sara launched her campaign in June 2019 and has visited all sixteen counties in Maine, holding in-person and virtual events to meet and talk with voters about their concerns and challenges they face. Sara has been endorsed by more than 75 elected officials from across Maine, as well as the Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council, Maine Service Employees Association, Maine State Association of Letter Carriers, the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, the National Resources Defense Council Action Fund, NARAL, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, End Citizens United, and Everytown for Gun Safety.

Daughter of Indian-American father and Armenian mother, Sara has raised a massive USD 23 million, which is a Maine record.