Political Roundup for Maine

February 20, 2008 SeacoastOnline.com.

Sportsman's Alliance endorses Summers

PORTLAND -- Summers for Congress has gained the endorsement of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine.

"We are pleased to receive the endorsement of SAM," said Ruth Summers, wife of Charlie Summers, candidate for US Congress. "Charlie's proven support of sportsmen as a state senator and his commitment to preserving access to public lands is important for the conservation of wildlife resources in Maine."

"As a state senator, you were an outstanding leader for the sportsmen of Maine. We appreciated your support, and we return that support to you today," said George Smith of the organization in a letter received by the campaign. "You earned SAM's endorsement in this race."

Summers is serving in Iraq, as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. In 2004, Summers was the GOP nominee in Maine's 1st District Congressional race. He previously served as the New England regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, state director for U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, and as a two-term member of the Maine State Senate representing Saco, Scarborough, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach.

Collins', Allen's funds near record

BANGOR (AP) -- Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Tom Allen are closing in on the state's fund-raising record in their Senate races, and the amount of money in the campaign will continue to grow in the nine months leading to Election Day.

Collins raised $963,073 in the final quarter of the year, bringing her campaign's total to more than $4.5 million. Allen raised $813,000 during the same period, bringing his total to more than $3 million.

Without a doubt, the fund-raising will reach a record because the combined total is just $500,000 shy of the $8 million that Collins and her then-rival, Democrat Chellie Pingree, spent on their campaigns in 2002.

"I wouldn't be surprised if (the total in November) is double what we're at now," said Sandy Maisel, director of the Goldfarb Center at Colby College.

So far, much of the contributions are coming from out-of-state sources because the race has been seen as possibly controlling the balance of power in the Senate, Maisel said.

Candidates for Congress

PORTLAND -- A Congressional District 1 public forum on U.S. military and foreign policy will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. March 11 at the Rhines Auditorium, Portland Public Library.

Five of the six Democrats seeking the District 1 seat have agreed to attend so far -- Michael Brennan, Adam Cote, Mark Lawrence, Chellie Pingree and Ethan Strimling. Refreshments will be provided.

FMI: Contact Jack Bussell, 772-1442 or Bruce Gagnon, 443-9502.

Pingree's coffers filling fastest

PORTLAND (AP) -- Chellie Pingree held a big lead in fund-raising over her five opponents for the Democratic nomination for the open congressional seat in Maine's 1st District, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Pingree raised $783,548 through Dec. 31, more than twice the total of her nearest rival. Ethan Strimling was second in the money race with $337,026, while Mark Lawrence reported $326,251, Adam Cote $304,892, Michael Brennan $152,408 and Stephen Meister $46,300.

Pingree also led in cash on hand, with $442,851, to $195,919 for Strimling, $192,197 for Cote, $189,489 for Lawrence, $82,339 for Brennan and $39,639 for Meister.

On the Republican side, Charles Summers raised $117,126 through Dec. 31 and had $70,792 in cash on hand. Dean Scontras reported $157,764 in receipts and $25,954 in available cash.

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