Republican Charlie Summers, who is running for the 1st Congressional District seat, said Wednesday American taxpayers shouldn't be forgotten in the plan to bailout major financial institutions.

Here's part of his statement:

"Government will need to have a role in mitigating the effects of this debacle on Wall Street - however, rushing into a bailout plan that commits to using $700 billion is not necessarily the way to do it," he said.

Summers said he backs an investigation of fraud and market manipulation, and possible regulatory changes.

"Our priority needs to be the protection of the conscientious American taxpayer - not to rescue everyone who has made irresponsible financial and business decisions with no regard for the consequences, and forcing hard-working Americans the foot the bill," he said.

His opponent, Democrat Chellie Pingree, also put out a statement on the crisis.

"Congress and the administration must act quickly to stabilize our financial system, but also must hold those on Wall Street who contributed to this mess accountable," she said.

She also called for taxpayer protections, such as a pay back plan and ways for people to renegotiate their mortgages.

"Any bailout plan must limit executive pay and cancel stock options so failed CEOs who abused the public trust cannot take our money with them into retirement," she said.

After a busy primary season in the 1st Congressional District, it's been a quiet summer.

That will change after Labor Day Weekend.

One of what will likely be many joint forums for Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Charlie Summers was announced Thursday by a group of 20 Maine nonprofits.

The groups, all of which focus in one way or another on the environment, want the candidates to talk about global warming, alternative transportation, clean energy, land protection, wildlife habitat, water quality, reducing toxins and supporting Maine agriculture and fisheries, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

The forum will take place from 3-5 p.m. September 28 at the event room on the seventh floor of the Glickman Library on the University of Southern Maine's Portland campus. The public is invited to attend free of charge, but space is limited. For reservations, e-mail info@trails.org.

John Frary, the Farmington selectman running for the 2nd Congressional District, is proposing that an oil refinery be built at the former Loring Air Force Base.

And, he says, he's ready for a fight with environmentalists who will oppose the plan.

Quoting himself in a press release, he wrote:

"Frary did not underestimate the difficulties of the project, saying 'What businessmen don't want is to turn this into a 5 year regulatory opera. That said, won't the enviro-kooks gas up their SUVs and drive to Augusta to block the project with every shyster shenanigan they can dream up?'"

Frary, a Republican, is running against U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, for the seat. He said he plans to meet with Republican state Senators Peter Mills, Doug Smith and Roger Sherman in the next two weeks to talk about his idea for a refinery.

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?

As the race for the 1st Congressional District heats up, Democrat Michael Brennan is trying to get as many people to vote in the June 10 primary as possible.

And that includes members of the Maine Green Independent Party.

Party Chairwoman Lynne Williams wrote an “open letter” to Brennan asking him to apologize for his attempts at “subversion of the electoral system.”

Here’s part of what she wrote:

“As a party, we work very hard on voter registration and on maintaining our party status and our ballot status. By attempting to persuade members of the Green party to re-register as Democrats, you have undermined our work towards increasing our party membership.

“And by doing that you have undermined a party that presents a true progressive alternative to the Democrats.”

Brennan, a former state senator from Portland, is facing a six-way primary that includes Adam Cote, Mark Lawrence, Steve Meister, Chellie Pingree and Ethan Strimling.

Charlie Summers, one of two Republicans running for the 1st Congressional District, is expected to be back in Maine soon to participate in a host of campaign debates, according to his campaign.

First Congressional District candidate Michael Brennan, a Portland Democrat, wants Congress to stop funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is urging Congress to vote down a request for $178 billion in supplemental war funding.

The bill may be taken up in the House as soon as today, according to Brennan’s campaign. Brennan calls for an immediate withdrawal of troops, and discontinuation of funding.

Brennan is one of six Democrats competing on June 10 for the right to represent the party in the November election. The others are Adam Cote of Portland, Mark Lawrence of South Berwick, Chellie Pingree of North Haven, Ethan Strimling of Portland and Steve Meister of Winthrop.

Here’s the full text of Brennan’s letter:

Dear Senators Snowe and Collins and Representative Allen,

I am writing you as a constituent to request that you oppose the supplemental funding request of $178 billion for the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that will soon be before you in Congress. I also would encourage you to speak out against such funding immediately. I oppose said funding even if the final request turns out to be less than the $178 billion that is now being reported, and I urge you to oppose any funding request that is not directly tied to the safe removal of all of our combat troops.

At this time, I believe that as members of Congress representing Maine people, you must do everything that you possibly can to bring an end to the war now, including using the power of the purse to stop it. One reason that I am especially concerned is that the most recent supplemental proposal will provide funding for the war six months into 2009. Maine and America need to move in a new direction, and that begins with new leadership and an immediate end to the war, not a continuation of the current administration's disastrous policies.

As you know, we have spent more than $500 billion on the War in Iraq, and more than $1.4 billion of Maine taxpayer dollars – and with little to show for it except for continuing violence, much of it resistance to the American military presence. There are different ideas on how that money could be better spent – supporting education, health care, mass transit and renewable energy development, to name a few— but there is no question that it should not have been spent in the way that it was.

Similarly, there is no question that we should not be spending an additional $178 billion. The best way you can stop this from occurring voting against any Iraq spending not allocated either to the removal of troops or to simultaneous rebuilding and diplomatic efforts.

Press reports suggest that a vote on this funding could come as soon as (today) in the House, and that the vote on funding will be taken separately than a vote on removal of troops by the end of 2009. The end of 2009 is not soon enough to remove our troops – and indeed, they need to begin coming home now.

Sincerely,
Michael Brennan

Candidate for United States Congress

With the June 10 primary just five weeks away, it’s time to turn our attention to the Democrats and Republicans who want to take U.S. Rep. Tom Allen’s seat in Congress.

Allen, who’s challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins for her seat, has left an opening for new blood to step in. And on Tuesday night, most if not all of them will be in Augusta for a forum sponsored by the Maine Council of Senior Citizens-Alliance for Retired Americans.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the John Marvin Tower/Chateau Cushnoc Elderly Housing complex on Townsend Street in Augusta. Each candidate will have 10 minutes to speak, followed by a question and answer period.

John Carr, president of the alliance, said the forum is mostly for the senior citizens who live in the complex, although the public is allowed to attend. He said all of the candidates have said they plan to be there.

For the record, here’s who’s running in the Democratic primary: Michael Brennan of Portland, Adam Cote of Portland, Mark Lawrence of South Berwick, Ethan Strimling of Portland, Steve Meister of Winthrop, and Chellie Pingree of North Haven.

And for the Republicans, Charlie Summers of Scarborough faces Dean Scontras of Eliot.

The first district includes southern and coastal Maine, and stretching up to Augusta, Belgrade, Sidney, Vassalboro, Albion, and Monmouth.

The Maine Council of Senior Citizens-Alliance for Retired Americans will host a forum May 6 for all candidates running for the 1st Congressional District seat.

The forum will take place at the John Marvin Tower/Chateau Cushnoc Elderly Housing complex on Townsend Street in Augusta. It begins at 6 p.m.

Candidates will have up to ten minutes each to make a statement and talk about why they are running for Congress. Questions will follow.

All candidates are expected to attend, according to the council.

On the June 10 ballot, Republicans will choose between Charlie Summers of Scarborough and Dean Scontras of Eliot.

Here’s the Democratic 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.

Dems to open Lewiston office

The coordinated campaign for the Maine Democratic Party will celebrate the opening of a Lewiston office on Saturday.

The coordinated team of 24 people statewide will share digs with staff for U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud at 213 Lisbon Street. The grand opening is set for 10 a.m.

Michaud and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen are expected to attend the event.

Collins announces bipartisan team

Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, recently announced that she’s got a longtime Republican and a Democrat working to help her get reelected.

Merton Henry, described as the “dean of the Maine GOP” will serve as co-chairman. He’ll work alongside Scott Hutchinson, a Democrat, Gardiner native, and president of Key Bank.

Other team members include Sam Ladd, president and CEO of Maine Bank and Trust; Leo Loiselle, a managing partner at the Bangor-based accounting firm of Loiselle, Goodwin and Hinds; and Matt Manahan, a partner at Pierce Atwood in Portland.

First Congressional District candidate Mark Lawrence, a Democrat, took part in the Human Rights Torch Relay in Portland on Saturday, according to his campaign.

Lawrence, who is the York County District Attorney, said he wanted to call attention to human rights abuses in China.

“Human rights needs to be a strong focus of the United States in our foreign policy,” he said. “This is necessary both for global justice and our national security.”

Lawrence is one of six Democrats running for the party nomination on June 10. The others are: Adam Cote of Portland, Michael Brennan of Portland, Ethan Strimling of Portland, Chellie Pingree of North Haven and Steve Meister of Winthrop.

Two Republicans — Charlie Summers of Scarborough and Dean Scontras of Eliot — will face off for the GOP nomination.

Phoenix readers name Strimling “Best Politician”

State Sen. Ethan Strimling, who is seeking the 1st Congressional District Democratic nomination, was voted “Best Politician” by readers of the Portland Phoenix, according to the Strimling campaign.

The vote was part of the newspaper’s annual reader poll.

“I don’t generally pay a lot of attention to polls, but when it’s the readers of the Phoenix, it really means something,” Strimling said in a statement.

Second Congressional District Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat, sent out a press release Thursday with his thoughts on Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Washington.

Michaud, a former mill worker and Maine Senate President, will face Republican John Frary of Farmington in the November election.

Here’s Michaud’s statement in full:

“It was a great honor to attend the ceremony at the White House yesterday honoring Pope Benedict XVI and the Mass at Nationals Park today. Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic visit to the United States is a historic moment. It has been twenty-nine years since the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and Vatican Chief of State has visited the White House, and it is the first visit by Pope Benedict to the United States.

“As a lifelong Catholic, it was a tremendous honor to hear his message of hope and renewal. I know millions of people around the world heard his message and his call to work together on the challenges that we face as citizens of the world.

“At Nationals Park today, people of all ages, races, and religions attended the ceremony to hear his message of peace and justice. People were standing and cheering at his arrival, waving flags and souvenirs that they had purchased. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and a high point of my life as a Catholic.

“Faith has been the foundation of my family. It is a constant reminder of the importance of sacrifice and the principles of justice and integrity. Our faith allows us to stay strong and face the challenges ahead.

“The Pope’s message was a clear call to Americans of all faiths and walks of life to push for a more just and more peaceful society. The Catholic Church has been at the forefront of many struggles for social change and world peace. It is a great honor to have His Holiness in the United States, and I want to thank him for making this trip.”

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tom Ledue will be in Augusta Thursday evening to talk to members of the Kennebec County Democratic Committee.

Ledue is crisscrossing the state to meet voters in advance of the June 10 primary, where he’ll face U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a fellow Democrat.

Both are running for the seat currently held by Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican.

Ledue, of Springvale, describes himself as an educator and administrator. He’s been invited to speak after the regular business meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Augusta City Hall, and is open to all Democrats and independents.

The Maine Republican Party released a series of statistics Tuesday that they believe show a big lead for Sen. Susan Collins in the race against U.S. Rep. Tom Allen.

The party says financial reports show that the Collins campaign has $1.8 million more cash-on-hand than the Allen campaign.

And they list several poll results:

Rasmussen poll: (Released 4/8/08)
Collins: 54%, Allen: 38%

McLaughlin poll: (Released 3/28/08)
Collins: 54%, Allen: 31%

Survey USA poll (Released 11/05/2007)
Collins: 55%, Allen: 38%

Critical Insights poll (Released November 2007)
Collins: 57%, Allen: 32%

Research 2000/DailyKos (Released October 2007)
Collins: 56%, Allen: 33%

Allen has a birthday

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen will turn 63 on Wednesday, according to his campaign.

In what could be the shortest press release ever sent by a campaign, the Allen camp kept the announcement of his birthday to two short sentences. The first announces his birthday.

Here’s the second: “A seventh generation Mainer born in 1945, Allen will be 63 years young.”

Kennebec County Dems host candidates night

Kennebec County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Rita Moran announced today that there will be a candidates night at Augusta City Hall on May 15.

The Democrats are inviting state House and Senate candidates, along with those seeking county commissioner seats. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

New PR gal hired

The Maine Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign said that Rebecca Pollard, a 1999 graduate of Colby College, has been named communications coordinator.

A native of Bucksport, Pollard has experience working as a press secretary for Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota. She’s also holds a master’s degree in education policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The candidates running for the 1st Congressional District are scheduled to be in Augusta Monday night for an event sponsored by the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee.

The focus of the forum is veterans issues, although candidates will have an opportunity to make some opening remarks. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will be held in room 209 of the Augusta Armory on Western Avenue.

Democrats running for the seat: Mike Brennan of Portland, Adam Cote of Portland, Mark Lawrence of South Berwick, Stephen Meister of Winthrop, Chellie Pingree of North Haven and Ethan Strimling of Portland.

Republicans running are Dean Scontras of Eliot and Charlie Summers of Scarborough.

Dean Scontras, one of two Republicans running for the 1st Congressional District, recently announced the formation of a Scontras for Congress Faith and Values Coalition, according to his campaign.

The coalition includes more than 25 religious and community leaders who are supporting Scontras because of his “strong belief in traditional conservative cultural values.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, is inviting the public to a “Conversation for Change and Community Supper” in Waterville on Monday.

The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will be held in the library of the Alfond Youth Center Boys and Girls Club/YMCA at 126 North St.

In a statement from his campaign, Allen talks about the need to “change the direction of Maine and this country” by bringing troops home from Iraq, giving tax breaks to the middle class, and addressing climate change.

Three of the Democrats running for the 1st Congressional District put out statements Monday about the news that at least 4,000 Americans have died in Iraq since the war began.

All were sent out before news broke that another Maine soldier has died.

Here’s what Adam Cote of Portland had to say:

"As the death toll in Iraq has reached 4,000, I want to express my condolences to those who have lost loved ones, family members, and friends to the war in Iraq. The continuing war in Iraq is a deeply personal issue for me - I spent a year of my life there; I lost friends to the violence there and I treated people who died out there. My heart goes out to all of those directly affected by the continuing conflict.

My experience serving in Iraq is one of the primary reasons I decided to run for Congress. As only the second Iraq War veteran in Congress, I will do everything in my power as your representative to help develop a responsible plan that brings American troops home safely - and not have to return."

Here’s part of what Chellie Pingree of North Haven had to say (she wrote a lengthy blog on the topic):

“When I ran for the US Senate in 2002 opposing the war was an easy decision for me, but not an easy thing to do. Politically, it would have been easier to go along with the sentiment at the time. But it wouldn't have been the right thing to do.

But a headline like the one in the paper this morning reminds us all that the real story is the story of each of those 4,000 men and women who have lost their lives--22 of them from Maine - and their families. The real story is about the 30,000 veterans who have come home seriously wounded and their families. The real story is about the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who have died and the millions who have been forced out of their homes.

There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't think about the war and all of the costs it carries--but I think this is an especially thoughtful day as we all take time to reflect on what it means for the thousands of families whose lives will never be the same because of what they've lost.”

And this is from Sen. Ethan Strimling, D-Portland (also edited for length):

“The only ‘shock and awe’ this war has produced is the devastating economic and human cost. Who could have imagined five years ago that the Iraq war would last longer than our involvement in World War II and lead to the loss of so many American lives, including more than 20 soldiers from Maine, and the death and displacement of millions of Iraqis?

Staying in Iraq will only mean a worsening economy here at home. Staying in Iraq will only undermine our national security by empowering our enemies. Staying in Iraq only lead to a higher death toll than today’s grim statistic.

Congress has failed the American people for not putting a stop to Bush and Cheney’s war. I’m running for Congress to end this war now and get our economy back on its feet.”

The United States Student Association, which describes itself as the country’s oldest and largest student-led organization, named Maine Sen. Susan Collins Legislator of the Year.

Specifically, Collins won the award for helping to restore higher education funding and working to pass a bill to increase funding for Pell grants by more than $11 billion over the next five years, according to her office.

Collins, a Republican, recalled her roots in northern Maine in explaining her commitment to higher education.

“Our system of higher education is, in many ways, the envy of the world,” she said. “But its benefits have not been equally available.”

In November, Collins will face the winner of the June Democratic primary between U.S. Rep. Tom Allen of Portland and Thomas Ledue of Sanford.

How liberal or conservative is Maine’s Congressional delegation?

The National Journal just released a set of ratings based on votes taken in 2007. The magazine tracked votes on economic issues, social issues and foreign policy to compile the rankings. The list shows “how lawmakers vote relative to each other on a conservative to liberal scale,” according to the National Journal Web site.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Republican, earned the distinction of being labeled the “most liberal Republican in the Senate,” with composite scores of 47.8 liberal and 52.2 conservative.

Her scores were just slightly different from Sen. Susan Collins, also a Republican, who scored 47.2 liberal and 52.8 conservative.

Switching to the House, Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat, got a 76.8 liberal rating and 23.2 conservative rating. He’s challenging Collins for her Senate seat.

Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat, got a 68.8 liberal rating and a 31.2 conservative rating. He faces a challenge from Farmington Republican John Frary in the 2nd Congressional District.

Republican 1st Congressional District candidate Dean Scontras will host a tele-town hall meeting from 7-8 p.m. Monday.

Scontras, of Eliot, will talk about the economy — both Maine and national — and what Congress can do to help.

If you want to participate, you need to e-mail the campaign to get a special phone number and access code. It is open to the public, though space is limited, campaign representatives said.

Send an e-mail to info@teamdean08.com to RSVP.

Scontras is one of two Republicans hoping to represent the party in the 1st district race. The other is Charlie Summers of Scarborough.

The primary election is June 10.

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.

Republicans Dean Scontras of Eliot and Charlie Summers of Scarborough will debate at least twice before the June primary for the 1st Congressional District, the campaigns said.

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 Thursday that 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.

Ruth Summers said they filed the signatures necessary to get on the ballot this week.

State Sen. Ethan Strimling, D-Portland, said he will brave the elements Wednesday to turn in the more than 1,500 signatures he and others gathered in his run for the 1st Congressional District seat.

“Our volunteers worked hard to collect these signatures, so I’m not going to let a little snow stop me from turning them in,” he said in a statement.

Strimling is one of several Democrats running for the seat, which is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat who’s running for the Senate.

Who won the debate?

Kudos to Tim Russert for asking some specific and pointed questions at last night’s MSNBC debate between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.

It’s not often you hear discussion about health care, NAFTA, Louis Farrakhan, Saturday Night Live, Putin’s successor (whatever his name is) and Pakistan all in 90 minutes.

So, who won?

All candidates running for the 1st Congressional District have been invited to participate in a forum on Tuesday in which they will offer their views on the state of the U.S. Constitution.

Another independent is jumping in to the Senate race to challenge headliners Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat.

Herb Hoffman, a 75-year-old psychologist from Ogunquit, came to the Statehouse Wednesday to announce that he’s running for the seat as an independent. A former Democrat, and Dennis Kucinich supporter, Hoffman said he’s confident he can get the 4,000 signatures he needs to get on the ballot.

Dr. Herbert J. Hoffman, a retired psychologist, is traveling the state today to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

He’ll be in Portland City Hall at noon, the Statehouse Welcome Center at 2 p.m. and the Bangor Motor Inn at 4:30 p.m., according to his campaign. He will run as an independent.

If Hoffman gets the signatures required to get on the ballot, he will be in the race that features incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat U.S. Rep. Tom Allen. Also, Laurie Dobson of Kennebunkport has said she plans to run as an independent.

While most are wrapped up in the presidential race, Mainers will need to make an important choice in June in the 1st Congressional District.

And Saturday’s Kennebec County Republican caucus offered a glimpse into a primary race that’s so far been overshadowed by the crowded Democratic field.

For Republicans, there are two choices: Dean Scontras of Eliot and Charlie Summers of Scarborough.

Neither attended the county caucus.

Scontras went to other caucuses around the state, and Summers is deployed in Iraq.

Both sent able surrogates.

In fact, the best speech of the day was delivered by Dan Schuberth of the Scontras campaign.

Schuberth, a 20-something, unclipped the microphone from the podium and stood out front, just like they teach you in speech class. He spoke loudly and firmly, monitored the audience response, and recapped his three main points at the end — just like they teach you in speech class.

“We are proudly carrying forward the banner of the Reagan revolution!” he boomed.

His speech was followed by Tricia Summers, daughter of Charlie Summers. She was interrupted by applause more than once when she mentioned that her father is currently serving in Iraq.

More soft spoken, she effectively made her points.

“He is the candidate who can go in in November and win back the 1st Congressional District in Maine,” she said.

Both camps have good Web sites that outline their positions.

They can be found at: teamdean08.com and summersforcongress.org.

In the last few days, the candidates on both sides of the 1st Congressional District race have been cranking out the press releases in hopes of getting a little ink or air time.

With the June primary five months away, they are all working to shore up support.

Here’s a sampler of what they’ve been saying:

Former state Senator Phil Harriman of Yarmouth will serve as chairman of the Charlie Summers for Congress campaign.

Summers is seeking the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District seat.

Harriman, a partner at the insurance and investment firm Lebel & Harriman LLP, has been active in recent years with his support of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

He also co-hosts a radio show on WGAN, a job he used to shared with Democrat Sen. Ethan Strimling, until Strimling announced his run for Congress. Harriman now shares the airwaves with former gubernatorial candidate Barbara Merrill, an independent.

As campaign chairman, Harriman will be running the campaign with the help of Ruth Summers, who is filling in for her husband while he remains on military duty in Iraq.

It looks as though Summers and Dean Scontras of Eliot will be the only two vying for the Republican nomination in June.

Dr. Stephen Meister, the Winthrop pediatrician who jumped in to the 1st Congressional District Democratic field in late October, said this week that the rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated.

Rumor had it that he may be reconsidering his Congressional dreams in lieu of the state Senate.

That’s not true, he said.

“I said some time ago that if I didn’t have money or support, I would consider that,” he said.

But, with a commercial on cable, some money and strategic use of the Internet, he’s planning to make a go of it for the June primary. Despite the long odds against heavyweights Chellie Pingree, Ethan Strimling, and Mark Lawrence, not to mention Adam Cote and Mike Brennan, Meister said he’s going to compete.

“Chellie Pingree’s got a zillion dollars,” he said. “She’s going to make commercials.”

He said Strimling doesn’t have “a zillion dollars” but has surged in online donations since hiring Rick Redmond — formerly of the Maine Democratic Party — for online work.

And recent news reports have revealed that Cote is getting some help from actress Glenn Close, who is listed as a host on one of his fund-raising invitations.

So where does that leave a physician from Winthrop?

He’s going to focus his money on more affordable cable commercials and in places like Facebook, an online gathering place.

“We’re going to have to do it a different way,” he said.

Steve Abbott, chief of staff to Republican Sen. Susan Collins, said Friday he’s decided against a run for the 1st Congressional District seat.

Back in September, Abbott said he was considering his options and would make his decision public in January. He said Friday it’s not the right time.

“I wasn’t ready to make the commitment this cycle,” he said, adding that he hasn’t ruled out a future run.

Abbott would have given the Republicans three choices heading into the June primary, and he would have brought a wealth of Washington experience to the table. Many in the party consider him a rising star, but his bid for public office will apparently have to wait.

The 1st District seat is open because Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen is challenging Collins for her Senate seat.

On the Republican side, Dean Scontras of Eliot and Charlie Summers of Scarborough are running for the nomination.

On the other side, Democrats have amassed a rather large number of candidates:

From Portland: Adam Cote, Michael Brennan, Ethan Strimling

From North Haven: Chellie Pingree

From Winthrop: Dr. Steve Meister

From South Berwick: Mark Lawrence

And independent Peter Throumoulos of Old Orchard Beach has announced his intention to run.

Randy Bumps, Northeast regional political director for the Republican National Committee, said this week that despite all the hype over the Iowa caucuses — with networks giving live updates from Des Moines — Maine is important in the presidential race.

Why?

Republican Dean Scontras of Eliot, who is running for the 1st Congressional District, challenged Democrats this week to outline their positions on immigration.

Scontras wants Gov. John Baldacci to rescind an executive order he signed in 2004 that allows immigrants to get access to social services.

“As I travel the campaign trail, illegal immigration is the issue at the forefront of most voters’ minds,” he wrote. “Mainers feel that the federal government has let them down on this issue by failing to secure our borders and pass comprehensive immigration reform during the last legislative session.”

John Frary of Farmington, a Republican who’s running in the 2nd Congressional District, has issued a statement in support of the Plum Creek Timber Co.’s plan to build resorts and homes near Moosehead Lake.

The candidate, the only announced Republican in the running, is jumping into the debate at a hot time, as the Land Use Regulation Commission holds a series of public hearings across the state.

Although it won’t be out until April, former White House press secretary Scott McClellan’s book has the political community abuzz.

The Associated Press is reporting that McClellan blames President Bush and Vice-President Cheney for helping to mislead the public about who leaked the identity of former CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Here at home, former Common Cause leader Chellie Pingree of North Haven, who is running for Congress, shared her thought about the revelation on her Web site.

Former Senate President Beverly Daggett of Augusta is endorsing York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence in the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary.

Daggett, the first woman president of the Senate when she served in 2003-04, said she served with Lawrence in the Legislature and liked what she saw.

The race for the 2nd Congressional District seat got a new candidate over the weekend when Farmington Selectman John Frary, a Republican, announced that he is running for the seat.

Frary is the first Republican to jump into the race. If he becomes the party’s nominee, he will face Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud.

Why is he running?

The Rothenberg Political Report this week rated the Maine 2008 Senate race in the “narrow advantage for the incumbent party” category, despite recent polls that give Republican Sen. Susan Collins at least a 20-point lead.

Rothenberg, a Washington group that does nonpartisan analysis, listed Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen’s challenge to Collins, along with races in Minnesota and Oregon.