A Democratic candidate in Maine’s gubernatorial race said Thursday that he finds the state’s “whiteness” to be “bad news.”

During a Maine People’s Alliance event in Lewiston, gubernatorial candidate Mark Eves told attendees of the conference that “Maine’s whiteness is bad news,” reports Maine Sun Journal. Over 100 progressive activists attended the event.

Eves said in response to a question about Maine being the state with the smallest percentage of minorities in the country that the state would be in trouble if it were not able to attract a more diverse population. In order to attract that diversity, Eves suggested the state adopt a more welcoming spirit and encourage young people to move there.

The Maine People’s Alliance said the event was an opportunity for progressives to ask questions of the gubernatorial and congressional candidates present to “make sure that our next leaders have a truly progressive vision for Maine.”

Tim Rich, a congressional candidate at the event, described his politics as “totally radical” and vowed to censure President Donald Trump if he wins his race.

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