The American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonpartisan membership association of state legislators, recently named Sen. Carol Weston, R-Montville, Legislator of the Year.

Weston, who serves as Senate Minority Leader, has served 10 years in the Maine Legislature. The exchange council has more than 2,000 members, which includes legislators, corporate and private foundation members.

Weston, who is heading up the efforts of Republicans trying to take over the state Senate, faces an election year challenge from Diane Messer, a Democrat from Liberty.

In Democratic news...

Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut will headline Saturday's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Lewiston.

More than 300 Democrats from across the state are expected to attend what is billed as the largest gathering of state Democrats each year.

As you might expect, several prominent Maine Democrats will speak as well, including Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud and 1st Congressional District candidate Chellie Pingree.