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

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cynthia Dill is getting some help from former Gov. John Baldacci.

Baldacci, who flirted his own run for the open Senate seat, sent out a fundraising appeal for Dill this morning. Politico's Alexander Burns blogged about it earlier today and we got a copy of the appeal soon after.

As Burns points out, Baldacci is one of the first big-name Democrats to come out so visibly to help Dill, who has been running a distant third in recent polls.

Dill has criticized national Democratic officials for snubbing her campaign and for tacitly supporting the independent candidate, former Gov. Angus King. Some Maine Democrats, including sitting lawmakers, have publicly endorsed King over Dill.

Maine party leaders, however, have maintained that Dill has the support of the party establishment. The boost from Baldacci appears to back that up.

It may be no coincidence that Baldacci followed King into office as governor just as the state's economy was stalling and the state budget was getting ugly.

In his fundraising letter, Baldacci writes that Pres. Obama and the Democrats in the U.S. Senate need help.

"Can you contribute $12 to help Cynthia and to make sure Democrats maintain the majority in the U.S. Senate?

"I've known Cynthia for many years and to she's proven to be a strong advocate for her community, for progressive values and for expanding  access to opportunity throughout Maine....

"P.S. This race isn't over. Not by a long shot."

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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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