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

U.S. Senate candidate Cynthia Dill, a Democrat from Cape Elizabeth, is holding a news conference and rally Wednesday to show her support for same-sex marriage.

In particular, Dill will applaud the Democratic Party's decision to include a plank in the national platform that's supportive of same-sex marriage, according to a release from her campaign. Dill is expected to be joined by former Maine House Authority Director Dale McCormick and state Sen. Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham.

In a statement, Dill, an attorney, said the stance by the national party is a "critical piece of civil rights language."

"It represents, in stark relief, the core values that separate the Democratic Party from other political groups," she said. "We, as a national party, believe in civil rights and we fight for civil rights. No qualifiers."

A second gay-marriage related email came in today from Protect Marriage Maine, which is warning Mainers that if gay marriage is approved in November, those who disagree with it will be made to feel uncomfortable.

"Once the definition of marriage is changed, the government will come after anyone who refuses to go along," said Bob Emrich, chairman of the group.

The group cites recent quotes from mayors in Boston, Washington DC, Chicago and San Francisco, who have all made various statements opposing the position taken by Chick-fil-A's CEO, who said he supports the traditional definition of marriage.

And Mainers United for Marriage put out a press release today touting the arrival in Maine of Richard Carey, a 53-year-old who is on a cross-country bike ride to raise funds and support for gay marriage.

Carey, who has covered more than 3,600 miles, is expected to hit Portland by 1 p.m. Tuesday.

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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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