Olympia Snowe not running for reelection (Portland, Bangor: house, floor, safe)

[Coaster]

Snowe announces she won't seek re-election | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram (http://www.pressherald.com/news/Snowe-not-running-for-re-election.html - broken link)

Snowe says the lack of bipartisanship and increased partisan sniping were major factors in her decision.

Really opens up the race here in Maine. I expect Kevin Raye will toss his hat into the ring on the R side, and if Chellie Pingree doesn't go for it on the D side I'll eat Raye's hat.

[mainebrokerman]

I propose Northen Maine Land Man for the position!

[RHB]

I second it.

[elston]

State Senator Cynthia Dill was going to challege Sen Snow.......she will definately continue on.....but there maybe more of a contest to get the Democratic nomination now that there is no encumbent.

[Coaster]

Both Pingree and Michaud are collecting signatures already, altho both say they haven't decided yet. Michaud won't win in a primary run against Pingree and would lose his very safe House seat besides -- I predict he drops out of Senate contention early. Depending on who else is in the race, Chellie might be considered too liberal...

Even more fun -- Angus King says he's interested. That would throw a spanner into the gears.

[elston]

Eliot Cutler has also indicated he might be interested......he did so well in the gubertorial race last time as a third party candidate.....he might be a popular choice.

And if one of our reps runs.....that would open their seat....perhaps Phil Bartlett who cant run again for Maine's senate....(term limits)....might run for the US House. He was a very popular legislator from Gorham.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Michaud is in. Baldacci is in. Pingree is in.

On the Republican side is Scott D'Amboise who has been running for 2 years and has spotlighted Olympia's real record. At some party caucuses NOBODY would sign Olympia's petitions. At the Bangor super-caucus she was publicly booed which astonished her. She voted for Obamacare, TARP and the stimulus package. When you repeatedly slap down your supporters they will eventually react. They did.

Thanks for the endorsements, but I am not a millionaire. Chellie will have the most expensive campaign ever in the history of Maine. Her new hubbie has gigabucks.

[cebdark]

I don't blame her.

Everytime I envision congress, I see them in diapers and bonnets rolling on the floor in a temper tantrum.

I've personally had enough of the backbiting BS of "my team or yours."

IMHO, it's gotten to the point where "I'm right and you're wrong - no matter what's best for the people" is no longer even attempted at being hidden.

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Michaud is in. Baldacci is in. Pingree is in.

Putting both Baldacci and Pingree in the mix could split the left wing of the Dems in the primary and allow a third candidate to slip through to get the D nod, rather like the last gubernatorial race.

Cutler AND King running as independents? Dennis Bailey would have a field day. King may be talking out of ego -- the man is 67 (68 on March 31) and Mary may talk some sense into him.

This will take some time to shake out. Until it does, it'll be fun to watch. Reminds me of when Mitchell announced he wasn't running for the Senate again.

[moughie]

I personally am quite grateful for all of Olympia Snowe's years of service to the great State of Maine. She will be a very hard act to follow!