Herb Hoffman

More from PolitickerME.com:

• Dems take Hoffman challenge to court
• Justice recuses himself from Hoffman case

Superior Court Justice Joseph M. Jabar has recused himself from hearing a case involving the U.S. Senate race because of ties to a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, is appealing a recent decision by the Secretary of State's office to take independent U.S. Senate candidate Herb Hoffman off the ballot. Knutson and the party had challenged the validity of some of the signatures on Hoffman's nominating petitions.

The case is under the jurisdiction of Kennebec County Superior Court, and was originally assigned to Jabar. Walker said Jabar was considering recusing himself from the case because his wife had held a fundraiser for Allen, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

Courthouse officials, unable to say why, said Jabar had already declined the case and another judge has yet to be assigned.

Sources say the case will likely be taken up Thursday or Friday. Hoffman said Wednesday that if it does not come out in his favor, he will appeal to the Maine Supreme Court.

As a rule -- Maine people like rules, but they value what is fair, above all else. The importance of fairness in Maine, which usually transcends politics, is one of those things that makes Maine such a great place to live.

That will be the challenge for the Democrats. Can they eliminate Mr. Hoffman from the ballot and do it in the name of fairness? Or, will they overplay their hand, and be viewed as thugs determined to win at all costs?

It's a close call, but I think the jury is still out on that.

In the meantime, expect several press stories, a few TV interviews and lots of blog chatter for Mr. Hoffman --which is not bad for a guy with no money, no political experience and no staff.

The Maine Democratic Party is continuing its crusade to remove independent candidate Herb Hoffman from the ballot in the race for the U.S. Senate.

Party officials filed an appeal Monday with the state Superior Court for a reversal of a recent decision by the Secretary of State that would allow Hoffman to remain on the ballot.

Hoffman is running against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen.

Reaching out to the young, tech-savvy crowd, Tom Allen’s campaign sent out a message via Facebook today advertising the campaign’s new video podcast.

Allen, who represents Maine’s First Congressional District in Congress, is challenging incumbent Susan Collins for her Senate seat.

“I am excited to tell you that our campaign has released the first video podcast of any '08 Senate campaign in the country. We will update it periodically with a variety of interesting stuff. Right now, you can find my positions on important issues and the voices of Mainers that we have run across on the campaign trail. Please encourage your friends and family to subscribe as well to help me spread the message,” stated a short message to supporters.

Shalom Odokara, a prominent womens rights activist in Maine, represented the Obama campaignA couple of presidential hopefuls have stopped in Maine, but face it -- we’re not a priority state for the candidates.

We’re definitely not an ideal location for a debate anytime soon.

Thursday night, though, the Kennebec County Democrats hosted a surrogate debate at Augusta City Hall, gathering local campaign workers and volunteers to speak on their behalf, all who consider themselves “avid supporters”.

In the end, the county group asked for donations. The campaign collecting the most could keep the money. The rest would go to the Kennebec County Democrats. John Edwards’ campaign took home $147 ($135 from one person.) The Democrats got $75.

Four surrogates came, though representatives from all the Democratic campaigns were invited.