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PORTLAND

The CEO of the conservative Maine Heritage Policy Center is stepping down to join the U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Charlie Summers, a move that could energize the conservative base that helped elect Gov. Paul LePage and sweep the GOP into power in Maine Legislature in 2010.

Dutson, who will serve as Summers’ campaign manager, said his goal is to run the campaign but he acknowledged that his presence will help to fire up the conservative grass-roots base.

“My relationship with the movement conservatives is going to really help to make sure that our grass roots is ready and fired up to engage in this election,” said Dutson, who described the policy center as the “heart and soul of the conservative movement in Maine.”

Summers, Democrat Cynthia Dill and four independents, including former Gov. Angus King, are vying for the seat that will be vacated by Republican Olympia Snowe.

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Summers has a lengthy resume that includes having served as Snowe’s state director, regional director of the Small Business Administration, and Navy service in Iraq and Afghanistan. But conservatives sometimes view him as a moderate and part of the Republican establishment, an unfair criticism in Dutson’s view.

“The thing about Charlie is that the moderate angle with him comes more from his approach to politics and policy, not necessarily the ideological side. He’s a very measured guy. He’s not a bombthrower. He has a very conscientious way of approaching things,” Dutson said.

Dutson was involved in Sen. Susan Collins’ re-election campaign in 2008 and in the campaign of Sen. Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire in 2010. But this will be his first time running a campaign. He also served as communications director for the Maine Republican Party and for House Speaker Bob Nutting.

Summers said he’s happy to have Dutson aboard for a highprofile campaign in a race that could help shift the balance of power in the closely divided Senate, where Democrats currently hold a 51-47 majority with two independents who caucus with them.

“Lance is an outstanding leader with a sharp political mind,” Summers said in a statement. “His skills and experience will be an incredible asset to my campaign for U.S. Senate. This will be a challenging race, and Lance will help lead us to victory in November.”



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