Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

 The Hill published a story this weekend in which Democratic strategist U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, of New York, said that the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, would be under Democratic influence come next year. 

Schumer was discussing the likelihood that Democrats would retain the chamber after the election. The story focused primarily on states where Democrats had a chance to add to their current majority, but Schumer had this to say about Maine, where independent Angus King is current frontrunner. 

“There’s only one state where the strong likelihood is there’s a pick-up," Schumer said. "That’s Maine and that’s ours."

Schumer's comments were immediately seized by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which has been advancing the narrative that King is a Democrat cloaked as an independent. King has declined to say which party he'll caucus with if he's elected in November. Brian Walsh, with the NRSC, said in a statement that King is staying mum in an effort to trick Republican voters.

"It’s simply insulting to voters in Maine and to the candidates running for the Democratic nomination that King is playing this dishonest, cat-and-mouse game," Walsh said. 

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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