Carol Weston

AUGUSTA -- In an unexpected move, the Senate Republicans replaced their leaders this afternoon.

Sen. Kevin Raye (R-Perry) defeated current Republican leader Carol Weston (R-Montville).

After several were nominated, Sen. Jon Courtney (R-Sanford) was elected assistant leader unopposed.

The Republican caucus was held off-site and was closed to the press. Nobody asked would reveal what the vote was.

AUGUSTA -- One week prior to the election, a photo of state Senate candidate Troy Jackson (D-Fort Kent) sleeping in the House chamber appeared in the Caribou weekly newspaper as an advertisement.

The ad was reportedly paid for by a Frank Weatherhead of Caribou. However, Jackson was convinced that the Senate Republicans were behind it. Jackson, previously a state representative, won his race against Danny Deveau (R-Cyr Plantation) with about 65 percent of the vote.

On Monday, he brought Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston (R-Montville) a gift: A bottle of "NoDoz," and a card thanking her for her "help" during the final week of the election.

AUGUSTA -- State Senate Democrats and Republicans will caucus later today to elect their respective leadership teams.

PolitickerME.com has not learned of any races that are contested. On the Democratic side, current majority leader Libby Mitchell (D-Vassalboro), who was just elected to her second consecutive term, hopes to become Senate president, replacing Beth Edmonds (D-Freeport) who is term limited.

Sen. Phil Bartlett (D-Gorham), who was just elected to his third term, is eyeing the slot of majority leader.

Lisa Marrache (D-Waterville) hopes to become assistant majority leader. Marrache was just elected to her second term in the Senate, previously serving three terms in the House.

Both have identified budget concerns as their key focus of the new session.

On the Republican side, there will be no changes. Sen. Carol Weston (R-Montville) is expected to remain minority leader, and Sen. Richard Rosen (R-Bucksport) is expected to remain assistant minority leader.

A newspaper ad showing a picture of Rep. Troy Jackson (D-Fort Kent) asleep in the House chamber is causing a stir in Maine’s northernmost district.

It also may become an issue in Jackson’s current bid for the Senate – not for the content itself but for the initial explanation he gave.

16 Republicans have received endorsements from the Maine Realtors Association in their campaigns for State Senate.

By the time 2010 rolls around, it will have been 16 years since a republican has lived in the Blaine House. There is a long list of folks who would like to bring an end to that dry spell.

The Blaine House: Speculation is far and wide as to who will live here after 2010. Politicker photo.The list of those speculated to run for governor in 2010 is wide and far-reaching. During a special session Wednesday, PolitickerME had a chance to catch up with a number of state senators on the list.

When asked, most of them remained mum on their ambitions.

Gov. John Baldacci will be termed out, so the 2010 race will be for an open seat.

The closest thing to an admission from any state senator came from Sen. Peter Mills (R-Skowhegan).

“I probably will,” he said.

Legislative Democrats were quick to point out that history appeared to be repeating itself after the Republicans proposed a special session without pay for legislators last week.

In 2004, the Democrats had approved retroactive legislation to waive pay for lawmakers in a special session that dovetailed the regular session. Republicans sued, won, and back pay was awarded.

The circumstances, however, were vastly different.

UPDATED 6 p.m. with comments from Josh Tardy

Video: Baldacci's remarks

Gov. John Baldacci unveiled an energy plan that he says makes a special session of the Legislature unnecessary.

Maine House and Senate Republicans have repeatedly called for a special session, arguing that the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds would not stretch through December. Democrats had argued that they did, and a special session was unnecessary.

“I have consulted with our experts on fuel assistance, energy and human services, and we are able to take significant action without an expensive and uncertain special session,” Baldacci said. “If that changes, I will use the full powers of the Executive Branch to address any emergency.”

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services is also initiating a pilot program that will allow state employees to either telecommute or work four-day weeks.

Republicans have been taking steps to own the energy issue in Maine, hoping they can ride the energy wave to victory on Election Day.