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The American Nurses Association and its political action committee have formally endorsed Angus King in the race to replace Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

The group says the independent former governor is among the candidates nationwide who "have demonstrated strong support for nursing and health care issues."

"The fact that King’s wife is a nurse may not be cause for support alone, but as governor of Maine, he removed barriers so that nurse practitioners could practice to their fullest capabilities," the association said in a written statement announcing the endorsement.

The association is especially interested in the elections this fall because of such issues as the Affordable Care Act and access to care, it said. King wants to preserve the Affordable Care Act.

Support from the nurses' group is not a surprise. The association's PAC contributed $2,500 to King's campaign in early June.

That $2,500 donation, technically, was the maximum allowed for the primary election (even though King is running as an independent and didn't have a primary contest). The nurses can give King another $2,500 for the general election cycle, and they may already have. The next round of campaign finance disclosure reports will be available next month.

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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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