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

We're publishing the results of a statewide poll of voters this week, but here's an interesting tidbit about the Maine Senate race that got left on the cutting room floor.

Republicans have criticized former Gov. Angus King as a wealthy, federally subsidized wind-farm developer.

King’s recent career in the wind industry doesn’t appear to be a problem for most voters, however, according to the poll.

Forty-seven percent of the voters polled said they support the development of mountaintop wind turbines, while 22 percent said they were opposed. Democrats are more supportive, but even Republicans like windmills on mountains, 40 percent to 29 percent.

Also, more than two-thirds of voters polled – 68 percent – said they believe federal money should be used to promote renewable energy sources. Twenty-six percent said they're opposed to the funding.

Again, Democrats and independents are strongly in favor. Republicans said they favored federal support, too, 48 percent to 46 percent. Statistically, that's a tie.

King, who sold his interest in the wind business in March, is the independent front-runner in the Maine Senate race. He leads Republican Charlie Summers 55 percent to 27 percent, according to the poll.

About the Author

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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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