My name is Paige Loud. I recently ran for Congress in Maine's 2nd Congressional District. Running for Congress was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I've ever done.

I launched my campaign during the final semester of my Master's of Social Work program. I was balancing graduate school, an internship, traveling across one of the largest congressional districts east of the Mississippi, and building a campaign from the ground up without personal wealth or wealthy connections.

Running for office is expensive. But together, we proved something remarkable.

In less than six months, we earned more than 10% of the vote in a competitive four-way primary. We did it with a cost per vote of just $7.13, less than one hour of the federal minimum wage. We collected food, Narcan, and other essentials to donate to those in need. We connected with communities often forgotten, and met thousands of Mainers along the way.

I didn't become a social worker because it was the path to wealth. I didn't run for Congress because I had millions of dollars or a wealthy network to fund my campaign. I ran because I believe everyday Mainers deserve someone who understands what it's like to worry about rent, groceries, healthcare, and making ends meet.

As the campaign came to a close, I made the decision to personally cover the remaining campaign expenses using my own credit cards. I wanted to make sure the staff who dedicated themselves to this campaign were paid and that the vendors who provided essential services received what they were owed. I am still fundraising those funds off separately, through our campaign committee.

As a full-time student, and full-time candidate, I was unable to work and bring in funds to cover personal living expenses. I'm now carrying thousands of dollars in personal debt that came from rent, utilities, food, and other personal living expenses. I am in search of full-time employment, but I'm asking for your help paying down that debt so I can continue doing what I've dedicated my life to: serving Mainers.

Whether it's through social work, community organizing, mutual aid, or another run for public office someday, I remain committed to fighting for working people. But first, I need to get back on stable financial footing.

If I made you feel seen, gave you hope, or showed that ordinary people can mount a serious campaign without corporate money or personal wealth, I hope you'll consider contributing.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward paying off the personal debt I incurred covering living expenses. Your support doesn't just help me financially; it helps ensure that working-class people aren't discouraged from seeking public office simply because they aren't independently wealthy.

This is NOT a campaign contribution. Because these funds are going toward my personal living expenses incurred during the race, contribution limits do not apply, and donations are not reportable to the FEC. 

Thank you for believing in me, in grassroots politics, and in the idea that our democracy should be open to everyone, not just those who can afford it.