Horror, suspense writers for Allen

Senate candidate Tom AllenStephen King, John Grisham and Tess Gerritsen will be in the state to fund raise for Senate candidate Tom Allen.

The benefit will be held at 6 p.m. June 7 at Bangor Auditorium. Each author will read from recent works, and talk about why they support Allen. Tickets are $25. Click here for more information, and to purchase tickets.

King and Gerritson both have Maine ties. Grisham does not.

King, who was born and spent most of his life in Maine, has given $4,600 – the maximum allowed – to Allen’s Senate campaign. He has also given $28,500 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He is the only one of the three authors to give to Allen.

In a release, King said he supports Allen because of his vote against the Iraq War, his support for the middle class and support for energy independence and affordable health care.

"Electing Tom Allen to the U.S. Senate is an important step towards change for our country, and we are proud to support him," he said in a statement.

Grisham is a former Mississippi state legislator and a supporter of Democrats. He has given money to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. and Virginia Congressional candidate Tom Perriello. Grisham lives in Virginia.

Gerritsen lives in Camden. She has given $1,500 to presidential candidate Barack Obama and $250 to MoveOn.org.