Kevin Glynn

MINNEAPOLIS -- 2006 wasn’t a good year for Republicans. This year the Maine Republicans hope to redeem themselves.

Maine’s Republican National Committeeman Rick Bennett said the party is undergoing a transition, but hopes the John McCain-Sarah Palin presidential ticket will represent a reformist agenda. With them on the top of the ticket, combined with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor), who is running for reelection, he hopes to see an effect on the down-ballot races.

On the state level, Republicans hope to gain control of the state Senate, which currently has a gap of one seat.

In the Maine House, Republicans hope to close the gap.