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

We reported earlier this week on the first money bomb of Maine’s legislative election season: More than $13,000 dumped into Biddeford-Saco area Democratic primary races by would-be Biddeford racino developer Ocean Properties of Portsmouth, N.H.

Most of those funds – $9513 – were in support of Rep. Donald Pilon, a racino supporter going up against fellow Rep. Linda Valentino for Saco’s state senate seat, which is being vacated by (the term-limited) Barry Hobbins. We reported that Pilon, a realtor, was also backed by $2500 in independent expenditures by the Maine Association of Realtors PAC.

Pilon has additional admirers. A fresh disclosure at the state ethics commission website indicates that the National Association of Realtors have also intervened in Senate District 5. On June 5, the Chicago-based industry association spent $3500 on telephone phone banks and/or automated phone calls in support of Pilon.

It’s not clear why the realtors are out in force for Pilon, but he was one of only four Democrats to vote for the (unsuccessful) regulatory takings bill, which the Maine association supported.

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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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