After being laid off during the Great Recession, Dan Kleban and his wife cashed out their retirement savings to start Maine Beer Company with his brother, guided by a simple motto: Do What’s Right. This week, Kleban announced his candidacy for the United States Senate with the same energy he had when starting up the Maine Beer Co.
“Like so many hardworking Mainers and Americans, I was laid off when the Great Recession hit,” said Kleban. “Meanwhile, executives at the big banks who crashed our economy walked away without facing any consequences. I was pissed. So my brother and I started Maine Beer Company not only to make good beer, but to live by our Do What’s Right motto that crooks on Wall Street never understood.
Kleban cited rising prices and attacks on Medicaid as two issues that spurred this campaign.
“For us, Do What’s Right has meant paying a living wage from Day One, covering 100% of health care costs and providing retirement benefits for our full-time employees, and sharing our success with the community. It meant taking action on climate and environmental sustainability—giving 1% of our sales to nonprofits addressing climate change, promoting conservation, and integrating clean energy practices into our business. People thought we were crazy, but we proved we could build a company that’s a force for good.”
“Nearly two decades later, I look at Washington and see the same thing happening among our politicians—including Susan Collins. Senator Collins is not doing what’s right for the state of Maine, and hardworking Mainers are literally paying the price—housing, health care, groceries and electric bills are all too high and getting worse.
“I’m not a politician. I’m a guy who loves his family and was blessed to start a business in the state that gave me so much. Right now our country is at a crossroads. Just like when I started Maine Beer Company, I feel a responsibility to fight. I’m running for Senate so that we finally have someone in this seat who will do what’s right for Mainers.”
Kleban released a video this morning announcing his campaign that highlights his story:
