Skip Greenlaw, chairman of the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, is reporting that his group has 50,771 signatures on a petition to overturn the state’s school district consolidation law.

The group needs 55,087 to make it on the ballot. Greenlaw said in a statement that he hopes to have what he needs by August.

If all goes as planned, it will be on the November 2009 ballot.

The Maine Democratic Party’s Victory 2008 campaign will open its 15th office on Saturday in Skowhegan.

The public is invited to stop by the office at 165 Main St. between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Area Democrats, volunteers, staff, state legislators and candidates will all be there.

Victory 2008 Campaign Director Peter Chandler and Rep. John Piotti, D-Unity, are both expected to attend.

Maine’s Ron Paul supporters made a strong showing at the state Republican Convention, even electing one of their own as a delegate to the national convention.

But now that Paul is officially out of the race, who will they support?

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said today he is determined unenrolled U.S. Senate candidate Herbert Hoffman does, in fact, have enough signatures to have his name appear on the November ballot.

The Maine Democratic Party challenged Hoffman’s signatures on a number of grounds. Dunlap said after reviewing all of the material over the weekend, he agrees with his deputy that Hoffman has more than 4,000 valid signatures.

“I took all of the stuff home and went over all of it in pretty excruciating detail,” he said.

The major question was whether Hoffman violated the circulator’s oath by not being right at the table at all times when people signed his petition. Dunlap said the law is unclear as to whether it’s OK for him to be a few feet away talking to someone else while a different person signs the petition.

“Hoffman believed he was complying by being in the vicinity,” he said. “It’s not like he was trying to openly bilk people.”

If the decision holds — it can be challenged in court — Hoffman’s name will be on the ballot along with incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Democrat U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat.

The Maine Democratic Party isn’t giving up yet.

Despite a recommendation from Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn that unenrolled U.S. Senate candidate Herbert Hoffman does have enough signatures to be on the November ballot, the party said Friday they are “confident” that he does not.

The statement from party spokeswoman Rebecca Pollard said entire petitions — not just a few signatures — must be voided because they believe Hoffman did not honor the circulator’s oath.

“We have detailed this one flaw in a memo to Secretary of State Matt Dunlap and are confident that once corrected, it will become clear that Mr. Hoffman does not have the required 4,000 signatures to be on November’s ballot,” she said in the statement.

The debate — at least this phase of it — will be settled on Monday when Dunlap issues his ruling. It could be challenged in court.

Hoffman, of Ogunquit, is seeking a place on the ballot alongside U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat.

A Rasmussen Reports telephone survey released this week shows Republican Sen. Susan Collins leads Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen by seven points in the U.S. Senate race.

Her lead was 16 percentage points two months ago.

So, can we expect a barn burner or a blowout?

As they hire staff and open campaign offices to gear up for November, Maine Republican Party officials say they expect Sen. John McCain to do well in Maine.

Jen Webber, who worked on Peter Cianchette’s campaign for governor in 2002, will lead the GOP communications efforts, focusing mostly on the candidates for federal office from Sen. John McCain on down.

“John McCain is a perfect fit for Maine,” she said.

She thinks the McCain vs. Sen. Barack Obama race will soon heat up in Maine.

“This is going to be a competitive race in here in Maine,” she said. “Maine’s a swing state in this campaign.”

To get ready for the major campaign season, the GOP will open new offices in Lewiston and Bangor as part of its Maine Republican Party Victory 2008 effort, said party Executive Director Julie O’Brien.

Here’s some biographical information supplied by Webber about some of the key hires:

Victory ’08 Maine is led by Ben Gilman, a native of Gorham. Gilman has a long history of Maine-related political experience, most recently as a legislative aide in the Maine Legislature. Gilman has a great deal of experience in campaign field operations, serving as field director for Kevin Raye for Congress in ’02, field coordinator for the Maine Senate Republican Caucus in ’00 and as a field coordinator for Jim Longley for Congress in ‘96.

After three years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., Pete Fullerton recently returned to his home state of Maine to join the Victory ’08 team as Deputy Director. Fullerton has several years of Maine-based political experience. He led field operations for Victory ’04 and State Senator Kevin Raye’s congressional campaign in 2002. As a University of Maine Orono student, Fullerton was Vice Chair of the Maine College Republicans.

Webber joined the Victory ’08 team this week as Communications Director, bringing nearly two decades of political, corporate and nonprofit experience to the job. Most recently, Webber has handled media and public relations in Maine for nonprofit groups and associations. She served as gubernatorial candidate Peter Cianchette’s press secretary in 2002, and handled media and communications for Tax Cap Yes in 2004.

Anna D. Blodgett of Augusta is hoping fellow Democrats will choose her to run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Kim Silsby, D-Augusta.

Silsby said last week she’s not running again because she needs to spend more time with her family. Blodgett, who worked for 15 years as the city’s director of Parks, Cemeteries and Trees, is ready to fill the void.

“I always look at ways to improve things and hope to continue my public service at the state level as a problem solver and a good listener,” she said in a statement.

There’s still time for other Augusta Democrats to consider a run.

The Augusta City Democrats will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at city hall to pick a new House candidate for the November election.

Those of us in the news business were shocked Friday to learn of the death of NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert.

Russert, 58, collapsed at work on Friday and died.

From “Meet the Press” to analysis offered on the evening news, Russert kept many a politician on his or her toes. His aggressive questioning during one of the Democratic debates sticks out in my mind in particular.

Sen. John McCain, presumptive Republican nominee, released this statement on Friday.

"I am very saddened by Tim Russert's sudden death. Cindy and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Russert family as they cope with this shocking loss and remember the life and legacy of a loving father, husband and the preeminent political journalist of his generation. He was truly a great American who loved his family, his friends, his Buffalo Bills, and everything about politics and America. He was just a terrific guy. I was proud to call him a friend, and in the coming days, we will pay tribute to a life whose contributions to us all will long endure."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued this statement

"Today we lost one of the true giants of American journalism and a tremendous public servant. Tim Russert will be remembered for many things. A committed family man, devout Catholic, devout sports fan, author, mentor. A tough interviewer, Tim delivered the news with authority, in a plainspoken way that made the great issues of our day accessible to everyone. His love of politics and our country came through in his relentless pursuit of the truth and in the quality of his work as a journalist. On this sad day, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

The Secretary of State’s Office will hold a hearing Monday to discuss a challenge to the signatures turned in by Herbert Hoffman, of Ogunquit, who wants his name on the ballot as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

The state has ruled that Hoffman, an unenrolled candidate, turned in more than enough signatures to get his name on the ballot. But John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, is challenging the state’s decision.

Knutson contends that several defects should void some of the forms, according to paperwork filed with the state. Hoffman is confident he’ll prevail.

At stake is a spot on the November ballot alongside incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat.

The hearing is set for 10 — I triple checked with the Secretary of State's Office — in room 206 of the Cross State Office Building.

Recount set for Thursday

In other Secretary of State news, there will be a recount at 9 a.m. Thursday in the House District 107 Democratic primary.

Election night results show a tie between Melissa Innes of Yarmouth and Kimberly McLaughlin, also of Yarmouth.

The recount will be held at the Department of Public Safety headquarters north of the Augusta Civic Center.

Rep. Kim Silsby, D-Augusta, said she will not seek reelection to her Maine House of Representatives seat because she needs to spend more time with her family.

Really.

Silsby, 41, has three children, ages 8, 10, and 12, and the unpredictable legislative schedule caused her to miss some important events.

“The Legislature will always be there,” she said. “My kids being this young now are not going to be.”

Silsby’s term on the Augusta school board ends in December, and she’s sticking to her previous decision not to run for another term.

The Augusta City Democrats will meet at 6:30 p.m. June 22 at city hall to pick a new House candidate for the November election.

Check out McCain

Want to get an early look at Sen. John McCain?

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee will be in Nashua Thursday for a town hall meeting.

Doors for the general public open at 12:30 p.m. The event, which is scheduled to start an hour later, is being held at the Daniel Webster College Gymnasium, 20 University Drive, in Nashua.

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, is challenging the signatures filed last week by unenrolled candidate Herbert Hoffman, of Ogunquit, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

The move, if successful, could get Hoffman’s name removed from the November ballot.

The Secretary of State’s Office ruled last week that Hoffman filed a sufficient number of valid signatures — more than 4,000 — to earn a spot on the ballot. However, Knutson contends that several defects should void some of the forms, according to paperwork filed with the state.

Among the allegations:

• Circulators said signatures were written in their presence when they were not.

• Hoffman circulated petitions before he unenrolled from the Democratic Party.

• Signatures were certified even though they were duplicates, from unregistered voters, illegible or in the wrong year.

The challenge triggers a public hearing, which will likely be held sometime early next week, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

For his part, Hoffman said it’s all an attempt by the party to protect U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who wants a clear path while challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

“It’s frivolous,” Hoffman said. “It’s not well founded. I’m confident my signatures will hold up.”

Gov. John Baldacci announced Saturday that he is now using his Superdelegate status to back Sen. Barack Obama.

Baldacci waited until after Sen. Hillary Clinton officially dropped out to switch his allegiance.

Here’s what he said:

"Today I also offer my full support to Sen. Barack Obama for President of the United States. Sen. Obama has proven himself through a competitive primary against a slate of terrific candidates. Today, the Democratic Party is united."

"It's been a long eight years of the Bush administration. We've gone from peace and prosperity to war and economic turmoil. Sen. Obama has demonstrated the leadership necessary to put us back on the right track."

"Sen. Clinton and I have been friends for more than 15 years. She ran a strong campaign, and broke down barriers against long odds. The country is better for her efforts. Now it is time for all of us to work together to put Barack Obama in the White House."

It’s a furious sprint to the finish heading into Tuesday’s primary.

And things appear to be a lot closer now than they were even just a few weeks ago in the 1st Congressional District.

On the Democratic side, there’s a six way race, which could split the votes just enough to create room for a surprise winner to eke it out.

Here’s the field: Michael Brennan of Portland, Adam Cote of Portland, Mark Lawrence of South Berwick, Steve Meister of Winthrop, Chellie Pingree of North Haven and Ethan Strimling of Portland.

On the Republican side, Charlie Summers faces newcomer Dean Scontras. With at least a few Republicans switching parties to vote in the Democratic primary, will that make a difference in the Republican race?

All will be known Tuesday night — hopefully — or maybe it will be too close to call.

So, what do you think? Who will it be in November?

Ralph Nader, an independent candidate for president, will be in southern Maine on Thursday to call for the resignation of President Bush and vice-president Cheney.

At 3:30 p.m., Nader will hold a press conference in Kennebunkport. After that, he’s scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. in Portland at the First Parish of Portland, Unitarian Universalist church on Congress Street.

That will be followed by a rally at 7:30 p.m. at the church.

Nader is making his fifth run for president.

After months of working to be a candidate for U.S. Senate, Laurie Dobson of Kennebunk couldn’t clear the final hurdle to get her name on the ballot.

She needed 4,000 signatures, but turned in 3,840 certified signatures by Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

That leaves Herbert Hoffman of Ogunquit as the only unenrolled candidate in the race.

Next week, Democrats will choose between U.S. Rep. Tom Allen and Tom Ledue of Sanford in their primary contest.

All are hoping to knock off incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

When it comes to the state Legislature, here are the unenrolled candidates who met the Monday deadline to get on the November ballot:

Senate 29: Dana W. Kadey of Princeton.

House 8: Stanley L. Ginish of Houlton.

House 14: Edward S. Spencer of Old Town.

House 18: Thomas Mooney of Bangor.

House 69: Belinda A. Gerry of Auburn.

House 69: Richard Ness of Auburn.

House 90: Thomas Saviello of Wilton.

House 93: William C. Hine II of Peru.

House 135: Clairma Matherne of Biddeford.

A note about House 69, which covers part of Auburn: There are four people who have filed for that seat. The two unenrolled candidates listed above, plus Democrat Brian Bolduc and Republican Dana Coffin.

It’s a wide open seat this year because Rep. Deborah Simpson, a Democrat facing term limits, is running for the Senate.

Laurie Dobson, of Kennebunk, was scheduled to file her signatures with the Secretary of State’s Office by today’s 5 p.m. deadline.

But it’s 6:10 p.m., and there’s been no word from Dobson or the secretary of state.

If she got 4,000 signatures, she would be the second person to file as an unenrolled candidate in the U.S. Senate race. Last week, Herbert Hoffman, of Ogunquit, qualified for the ballot, as well.

That means there could be four names to choose from in November: incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, either U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, or Tom Ledue, of Sanford, both Democrats; Hoffman; and possibly Dobson.

The Cook Political Report puts the race in the “lean Republican” column, which means the race is “considered competitive but one party has an advantage.”