Candidate Center

Our new candidate center is designed to help keep you up-to-date with the campaigns going on across the country. Click on your state of interest and you’ll find a list of candidates running for each federal office, a brief overview of the state, and specific information for campaigns of interest as it becomes available. In the near future, the candidate center will include polls that will be updated as new ones are released, and links to FEC data.

NCEC Candidate Center - Maine

Maine

Presidential primary: Friday, February 1, 2008 (GOP)
Presidential caucuses: Sunday, February 10, 2008 (Democrats)
Congressional filing deadline: March 2008
Congressional primary: June 2008

President (4 Electoral Votes)

Maine hasn't gone to a Republican in the presidential election since 1988, and recent elections haven't been very close. John Kerry won Maine by 7 percent in 2004, so barring a massive shift this state will go blue in 2008.

U.S. Senate - Susan Collins (Rep)

Susan Collins is one of the top-tier targets for Democrats in the Senate. She is a Republican in a state that leans heavily Democratic, leaving her vulnerable every time she is up for reelection. Collins has tried to plow a centrist path, but has drawn fire for not supporting Democratic measures for troop withdrawal timetables in Iraq. Given the political environment, a centrist path on other issues aside from the war in Iraq may not be enough to save her seat. The Democrats have a strong candidate; Congressman Tom Allen (ME-01) has vacated his seat to run against Collins. Both sides are already running at full speed in terms of fundraising, as this race is sure to see some of the most money spent in this election cycle. The latest fundraising disclosures show that Collins holds the typical incumbent advantage in terms of money, but that Allen has more than $1.7 million cash on hand. The GOP will be willing to spend massive amounts of money to hold on to this seat, but this race is sure to be close.

Susan Collins (Rep) - Incumbent
Tom Allen (Dem) - Congressman, Former Portland Mayor and Attorney

1st District - Tom Allen (Dem)

Southern border and coast, Portland, Augusta

Representative Tom Allen has vacated this seat to challenge Senator Collins in 2008, which sets up an open seat race in this district. Candidates are lining up for the nomination in both parties, and early endorsements are being issued. Democratic candidate Chellie Pingree recently received an endorsement from Emily's List. Another Democratic candidate Adam Cote, a former platoon leader in Iraq, has received a strong endorsement from votevets.org an organization that seeks to get veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan elected to office. There are several other candidates on both sides that are either running or considering a run. Whoever the eventual candidates may be, the Democrat will be heavily favored in the general election.

Tom Allen (Dem) - Candidate for US Senate in 2008. Not seeking re-election.
Mike Brennan (Dem) - Former State Senate Majority Leader, Former State Representative and College Professor
Adam Cote (Dem) - Attorney and Iraq War Veteran
Jill Duson (Dem) - Portland City Councilwoman and Former Portland Mayor
Mark Lawrence (Dem) - District Attorney, Former State Senate President and 2000 US Senate Nominee
Chellie Pingree (Dem) - Former Common Cause President, Former State Senate Majority Leader and 2002 US Senate Nominee
Ethan Strimling (Dem) - State Senator, Social Service Agency Executive Director and Former Congressional Aide
Steve Abbott (Rep) - Congressional Aide
Peter Cianchette (Rep) - Former State Senate, Businessman and 2002 Governor Nominee
Jon Courtney (Rep) - State Senator
Darlene Curley (Rep) - Former State Representative, Businesswoman, Nurse, Teacher and 2006 Nominee
Phil Harriman (Rep) - Former State Senate and Financial Consultant
Dean Scontras (Rep) - Businessman
Charlie Summers (Rep) - Former SBA Official, Former State Senate, Former Congressional Aide, Navy Reservist and 2004 Nominee
Dexter Kamilewicz (Ind) - Realtor, Peace Activist and 2006 Candidate
Bobby Mills