Chellie Pingree

Editor’s note: PolitickerME.com has attempted to break down the state Senate races. Click here for a comprehensive overview, and on the following links for a closer look at the three tossup races – Senate District 1, Senate District 15 and Senate District 22.

Senate District 22

OPEN SEAT: David Miramant (D-Camden) vs. Christopher Rector (R-Thomaston)

PolitickerME.com rating: Tossup

The candidates:

Campaign Photo

Tom Allen

The Portland Phoenix, an alternative weekly paper, has released their endorsements for state and national races, but chose not to make one in the U.S. Senate race between Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

The Phoenix editorial staff wrote that they were unable to line up meetings with either candidate. They also accused the Allen campaign of playing a, “bizarre and sleazy game,” for trying to dictate the terms of an interview.

Campaign spokeswoman Carol Andrews told the Phoenix that Allen would only meet with them if they promised not to meet with independent write-in candidate Herb Hoffman.

Below: Slideshow of Summers' visit to Gorham 

GORHAM – First Congressional District candidate Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough) is working hard and moving fast. He said he’s up at 4:30 a.m. each day to start campaigning, and is out until 11:30 p.m. on a daily basis.

He faces Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven).

“We’re just pushing, pushing, pushing…” he said.

Monday afternoon he campaigned in Gorham, dropping in on businesses and lunch spots. Leaving no stone unturned, he greeted people at their cars if their windows were open or walking down the street.

UPDATE OCT. 25, 10:50 a.m.: Comments from Maine GOP chairman Mark Ellis – see below.

In an interview with Salon.com, Maine author Stephen King said the comparisons between President Richard Nixon’s campaigns and current Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaigns are “just depressing”. He said he drew the conclusion after reading the book “Nixonland”.

The interview was done in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of his novel “The Stand,” his most popular book about an end-of-the-world scenario where a flu virus is released from a U.S. military facility and wipes out almost all of the world’s population, setting the stage for a showdown between good and evil.

On McCain, King told Salon:

First Congressional District candidate Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven) is nearing the $2 million mark in total funds raised, according to the 3rd quarter report. This is nearly four times the amount her opponent Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough) has raised.

Here are the basic stats. PolitickerME.com will have more on the reports later.

Chellie Pingree

Contributions:

• 3Q: $382,282
• Cycle: $1.9 million

Expenditures:

• 3Q: $213,742
• Cycle: $1.6 million

Cash on hand: $358,628

Charlie Summers

Contributions:

• 3Q: $239,931
• Cycle: $529,303

Expenditures:

• 3Q: $157,327
• Cycle: $391,625

Cash on hand: $139,382

First Congressional District candidate Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven) has launched her first television ad of the general election season.

The ad, titled “Squeeze”, highlights troubles facing the middle class. She touts experience standing up to special interest groups and prescription drug companies.

Pingree is running against Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough).

Click here for the ad.

Roll Call, a Capitol Hill publication, has the details of a poll commissioned by 1st Congressional District candidate Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough) that shows 22 percent of the voters in the district are still undecided about the race.

Summers is running against Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven).

The poll, done by Moore Information says Pingree leads Summers 44 to 33 percent, with 22 percent undecided – two thirds of them undecided.

Click here for the rest of the story.

It was another good week in the polls for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, while Chellie Pingree continues to pick up endorsements and keep pundits in her corner. Meanwhile taxpayers are bracing for the bill on the big bail out and Dirigo woes continue to mount. See the complete list on PolitickerME’s weekly round up of Winners & Losers. | CLICK HERE

WGAN radio will host debates on both referendum questions.

From 7 to 8 a.m. Oct. 16, representatives (to be determined) from Yes on 1 and No on 1 will debate the merits of a repeal of the recently passed beverage tax.

From 7 to 8 a.m. Oct. 30, Dennis Bailey of CasinosNO! and Pat LaMarche of Vote Yes on 2 for Maine will debate the proposal to allow a casino in Oxford County.

In addition U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) and her opponent, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) will debate from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 9 and 1st Congressional District candidates Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven) and Charlie Summers (R-Scarborough) will debate from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 23.

Both candidates for the First Congressional District issued statements today concerning the financial crisis facing Wall Street. Both called for more accountability.