Barry Hobbins

The Secretary of State’s office has released the official vote tallies for the Nov. 4 election.

The following are the top ten vote-getters in state Senate races:

I attended my first political "house party" in 1994 when I was a senior in college. It was hosted by one of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell's brothers for would-be Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Brennan (Brennan eventually lost the general election to Independent Angus King).  I was invited because I was a member of the Colby Democrats and the Brennan campaign was trying to recruit volunteers in the Waterville area.

I was interested in going because, up until that point, the closest contact I'd had to a political house party was eating lunch every Sunday at my uncle's house in Sanford; he was a local Selectman, hardly a mover and shaker in the political world, to say the least.

Attorney General Steven Rowe’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign is slowly coming to life.

Rowe, D-Portland and a former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, has confirmed that www.rowe2010.com belongs to him, along with another URL. In addition, he’s drumming up support on Facebook – though his profile doesn’t say what he’s running for yet. He has 75 supporters.

Rowe said he definitely running for governor – but wants to wait until the end of the year, when his Attorney General’s term is up, to start campaigning.

Just beneath the surface in the Maine Senate there is angst, and the cause is Senator Bill Diamond.

With an 18-17 Senate, can the liberal wing of the party create enough enticements to keep the significant number of moderate folks like Senators Diamond, Hobbins, Marrache, and Nutting in line? That will not be an easy task.

 “In today’s fast changing economy, broadband is a key element in providing jobs and new investment for Maine’s economy,” he said. “The Public Advocate’s report highlights the measures already in place to ensure that Maine broadband consumers have full and fair access to the Internet.”

Rumford attorney Seth Carey has put his lawsuit against several Maine shopping establishments on hold, he said Tuesday.

Carey sued Wal-Mart and Hannaford, along with several malls and cities to allow petitioners on private properties to gather signatures.  read more »

Whether or not the state has gone too far with cuts, lawmakers don’t know yet, said Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport.

Despite a very gloomy speech she gave last week, Edmonds shared Baldacci’s optimism about the future in his State of the State address Wednesday – albeit very cautiously.  read more »

UPDATED Nov. 21, 6 PM, with more information from Mills.

UPDATED Nov. 21, 5 PM, with comments from Rep. John Brautigam

UPDATED Nov. 21, 3:45 PM, with comments from Rep. Janet Mills and Sen. Barry Hobbins

House Majority Whip Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, will seek the Attorney General’s post when his current term is up, along with Rep. John Brautigam, D-Falmouth.

Rep. Janet Mills, D-Farmington, and Sen. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, also said they will consider running.

According to an e-mail from Faircloth to colleagues, passed along by a reliable source:
“… You'll hear of others interested in my House seat. I want you to know from me: I won't seek re-election. I've made my choice. After two decades of service, the timing is right to serve as Attorney General.”

Faircloth said Wednesday that he had no comment on his decision at this time.