AUGUSTA

2nd District challenger, Michaud both file their qualifying petitions

Republican Maine Senate President Kevin Raye and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud have filed their qualifying petitions for the June 12 primary ballot.

Raye, who hopes to unseat Michaud in the state’s 2nd Congressional District, filed his petitions Tuesday afternoon, as did Michaud.

The Secretary of State’s Office is bracing for a flood of petitions as next week’s deadline nears for party candidates. U.S. House candidates need at least 1,000 signatures. Senate candidates need at least 2,000.

YARMOUTH

Steve Woods, Town Council chair, plans Senate race as independent

Steve Woods, a businessman who is chairman of the Town Council, plans to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

In announcing his bid, Woods said he empathizes with Sen. Olympia Snowe’s frustration with political polarization in Congress.

“I feel a civic duty to step forward and make myself available to the people of Maine for this critical leadership role,” Wood said in a prepared statement. “I plan to seek this national office as an independent candidate so that the only party I will be indebted to will be the party of Maine residents.”

Woods is president and CEO of TideSmart Global, a group of six Falmouth-based companies, including the marketing firm emg3. He is also a part-owner of the Maine Red Claws, an NBA D-League team.

WESTBROOK

City Councilor Rielly withdraws from bid to run for House seat

Westbrook City Councilor Brendan Rielly said Wednesday that he will not run for Maine’s 1st District U.S. House seat, now that Rep. Chellie Pingree has decided she will not run for Senate.

“There will definitely be another race for higher office, the question is when and where,” said Rielly, a Democrat.

Rielly thanked the dozens of people who were collecting signatures for him for “helping out with this crazy fire drill.”

— From staff and news services