Republican National Convention Archives

Trump and Biden wage a big battle over one electoral vote in rural Maine

September 24, 2020 — Maine is getting an outsized share of Trump love these days.

The president visited a remote town of 1,500 in June. His son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Lara Trump, have stumped in the state. A lobsterman from tiny Swan’s Island spoke at the Republican National Convention in August.

And the president is showering federal largesse on the state’s pandemic- and tariff-battered fisheries.

“He is very, very concerned on the plight of our fishermen,” former Maine Gov. Paul LePage told a recent rally along Saco Bay with Eric Trump. “He is intent on helping.”

Read the full story at The Los Angeles Times

Consider the Lobster Tariffs: GOP Cheers Trump Move, But Some Mainers Skeptical

August 27, 2020 — It was a bit of good news in an uncertain year for Maine’s lobster industry.

On Friday, the White House and Maine congressional leaders announced the elimination of an 8% tariff on live and frozen lobster into the European Union, which they described as a move would level the playing field with Canadian lobster in that market.

President Donald Trump tweeted about the agreement on Tuesday, saying that “beautiful Maine lobsters will now move tariff-free to Europe,” naming Maine communities like Eastport, Cutler, Jonesport, Stonington, Friendship and Casco Bay as he said the deal will create jobs.

Later that night, the tariff’s elimination was touted on another national stage when Jason Joyce, a lobsterman from Swan’s Island, took the stage at the Republican National Convention.

Read the full story at NBC Boston

Joe Biden’s Presidential Campaign Joins in on Lobster Conversation

August 27, 2020 — Lobster is having its moment in the spotlight thanks to the upcoming U.S. election.

Earlier this week lobsterman Jason Joyce spoke at the Republican National Convention to not only endorse President Donald Trump, but to praise him for his support of Maine’s lobster industry. Now, the Biden campaign is joining the conversation.

Read full story at Seafood News

Maine lobsterman to address GOP convention as Trump bets big on iconic industry

August 26, 2020 — Eighth-generation lobsterman Jason Joyce of Swan’s Island will address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday as President Donald Trump prioritizes Maine and its most iconic industry in an election year.

Joyce, 50, is the only Mainer with a speaking slot at the convention, according to a list provided by the Trump campaign on Sunday. He will speak on the second day of the four-day convention, to be officially held in Charlotte, North Carolina though much of the programming will be remote because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump will formally accept his party’s nomination to run for re-election on Thursday a week after former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, did the same at his party’s convention. Biden has led Trump in national polls since becoming the presumptive nominee in April and has led the Republican president by more in Maine.

Watch the speech here

Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News