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BY SUSAN M. COVER Staff Writer 07/04/2008

AUGUSTA — Former state Rep. Julie O’Brien of Augusta said Thursday she will ask fellow Republicans to choose her as their candidate for the House District 56 seat.

If she gets the nod, she would face Augusta Democrat Anna Blodgett, who was chosen Wednesday night as her party’s candidate.

Local party members are choosing replacement candidates to fill slots left open by those who filed to run for office in March, but have since dropped out of the race. In addition to the House 56 seat, Republicans also need to find another candidate to run in House 57 against incumbent Rep. Patsy Crockett, D-Augusta.

Augusta Republicans will meet July 21 to make their choices for both Augusta House seats.

In the Sidney/Oakland area, Democrats will soon meet to choose a candidate to run for the House 78 seat. Sam Bromberg of Oakland released a statement this week citing his intention to seek the Democratic nomination.

For Republicans in that district, former Rep. Bob Nutting of Oakland won a primary race in June to earn a spot as his party’s candidate.

And in House District 81, which includes Wayne, Leeds, Livermore and Livermore Falls, Democrats will meet Wednesday to choose their candidate.

Blodgett, a member of the Augusta Planning Board and a former city employee, said this will be her first run for elective office.

“This way I can serve Augusta more and the state of Maine,” she said. “There are a lot of issues now that need to be addressed.”

She listed the economy, jobs and the cost of fuel as areas of concern.

O’Brien, who served eight years in the House from 1995-2003, said she’s ready to come back to the Statehouse.

“I continue to get frustrated when I see what does or doesn’t come out of the Legislature,” she said.

After being forced out of the House by term limits, O’Brien ran for the state Senate, but lost. After that, she took over as the executive director of the state Republican Party.

The Augusta seat has been held by both parties in recent years. After O’Brien’s tenure ended, Republican Kim Davis served for two years. She was defeated in 2006 by Silsby, a Democrat who said family commitments prevent her from seeking reelection.

Republicans face long odds of taking control of the House in this cycle. Currently, Democrats hold 90 seats, Republicans hold 59 and there are two independent representatives.

Democrats hold an 18-17 advantage in the state Senate.

Susan Cover — 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com

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