Maine : The Way Life Should Be (minus LePage)

Late February came the announcement that senator Olympia Snowe (R- Maine) was retiring from political service after serving the people of Maine for 16 years in the House of Representatives, (1979-1995) and then the United States Senates for 17 years (1995-2012).  This spans Mabel & Salty's ENTIRE life time, like saying goodbye to Mr. Rogers, this is going to be weird. Her departure caused  a firestorm of uncertainty for the political landscape of the state and nation.

Olympia, thanks for making us think the GOP was cool while writing book reports in grade school

Once the dust settled a little bit the number of candidates taking out papers for the senate bit began to stack up.  It started with Congressman Mike Michaud (D- Millinocket), then it went on to Congresswomen Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven), former Governor John Baldacci (D-Bangor) threw his name in the ring, as did former Governor Angus King (I-Brunswick).  These were the heavy hitters as far as Maine politics are concerned. After a week Congressman Michaud decided that he was better served to continue his bid for re-election to the House of Representatives.  Last week Angus King confirmed the rumors that he was going to make a run and announced his intentions while giving a speech at Bowdoin College.  At the end of last week Chellie Pingree also made her decision to continue her bid for re-election into the House of Representatives.  Yesterday former Governor Baldacci also decided he was not going to run.

It appears that with Former Governor King's decision to run has scared off these well known politicians and with reason.  Governor King has been one of the more popular governors in the state of Maine. He won his second term as governor with over 60% of the vote (unlike our current governor which 61% of the state did not vote for).  He has not however scared off everyone, March 15th was the deadline for all papers to be turned into be reviewed for the 2000 necessary signatures.

In the line up for the GOP : Rick Bennett (former Maine Senate President), Scott D'Amboise (businessman), State Senator Debra Plowman, Treasurer Bruce Poliquin, Attorney General William Schneider and Secretary of State Charlie Summers.

On the Democratic side, State Senator Cynthia Dill, Matt Dunlap (former Secretary of State) and State Representative Jon Hinck are in the running.

In the coming weeks we will highlight each candidate on both sides of the aisle and and former Governor King, to bring to light each candidates accomplishments and back ground politically.

"As Maine Goes So Goes The Nation" no, seriously bubs...