Maine’s superdelegates: Where they stand

Some speculate the superdelegates could decide the Democratic contest.

National committeeman Sam Spencer doesn’t want to be the deciding factor.

“I originally thought it would be best if voters sorted it out among themselves, I thought a nominee would emerge,” Spencer said. “In all likelihood, neither Obama nor Clinton will reach a majority without the help of superdelegates.”

Four of Maine’s seven superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention remain undecided. Spencer and National committeewoman Jennifer DeChant say they want to see how things play out in the remaining contests, and are also taking the time to speak to voters around the state.

Also undecided are Maine’s two congressmen, Tom Allen and Mike Michaud. PolitickerME was able to catch up with both of them last Sunday at an event in Bangor.

Michaud said he has partnered with a working group on trade issues, which is meeting with both candidates. His decision will be based on these meetings, he said.

Allen said he is waiting to see what happens in Pennsylvania April 22.

Maine Democratic Party chair John Knutson and vice-chair Marianne Stevens are both supporting Barack Obama. Gov. John Baldacci is supporting Hillary Clinton.

Maine’s eighth superdelegate will be chosen by Knutson. Party executive director Arden Manning said Knutson will likely wait until closer to the convention before choosing someone.

Spencer said he plans to wait until the convention to make a decision, and even then he’ll have a number of options in deciding who to vote for.

He could vote how Maine voted. He could vote so Maine’s superdelegates are proportioned the same way as the state voted. He could vote for whoever won the popular vote in the country, or for whoever won the most delegates.

Or he could just vote “present” the first time around, perhaps forcing some kind of compromise. If one candidate does not emerge with a majority in the first round of voting, there will be a second round where all delegates will become uncommitted.

Between now and the convention Spencer plans to visit all 16 counties to talk to voters.

“I’m listening to people and considering different judgments,” Spencer said. However, “I want to let the votes of Maine Democrats speak for themselves.”

DeChant also has not made up her mind. Like Spencer, she is meeting with a lot of different county committees to help with the decision-making process.

She’ll at least wait until all the contests are over. DeChant said she also has been bombarded by phone calls from campaigns and letters from around the country.

“I think it will sort itself out, but I want to make sure everyone has a chance (to vote),” Dechant said.