Monica Castellanos, communications director for Congressman Mike Michaud, is taking a leave of absence from her job to help Adam Cote’s run for the 1st Congressional District.

In a statement, Castellanos said she’s going to run Cote’s field campaign, but will return to her regular job with Michaud on June 16, six days after the June 10 primary.

The Democratic primary in the 1st District continues to be a good race, with several strong candidates making a run for it.

Pingree’s bio pic

Most, if not all, candidates these days put footage of themselves on YouTube or otherwise make promotional videos to show themselves in the best possible light.

Chellie Pingree, Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District, took advantage of some family talent in producing “Chellie’s Story.”

Her daughter Cecily Pingree is a filmmaker, as is her son-in-law Jason Mann, both of whom worked on video. Jason is married to House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, who narrates the story.

Check it out here

Republicans to debate

On the other side of the 1st CD race, Republicans Dean Scontras of Eliot and Charlie Summers of Scarborough will debate at least twice before the June primary, the campaigns said this week.

The Scontras campaign proposed a series of three debates in late May and early June, after Summers is scheduled to return from active duty in Iraq, where he’s a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. His wife, Ruth, said she’s agreed to two debates if Charlie isn’t off duty in time, but she’s optimistic he will be free to campaign — and debate — by the end of May.

Military rules prohibit him from campaigning while he’s on duty.

The 1st District includes southern Maine, and stretches up to include Augusta, Vassalboro, Albion and China. The western border includes Mount Vernon, Readfield, Winthrop and Monmouth.