Allen starts in DNC post Friday

DENVER -- The new Democratic National Committee will take be seated Friday, and will include one new face from Maine.

At the state convention in June, Maggie Allen of Madison was elected to replace Jennifer DeChant of Bath, as Maine’s National Committeewoman. DeChant had decided not to run.

Each state has a National Committeeman and Committeewoman, who serve as liaisons between the state and national committee and work to secure national resources for the state. Committeeman Sam Spencer, who has served since 2004, was reelected.

She is not a delegate, but she is in Denver for the whole convention and said she has spent the time connecting with other committee members.

After 2008, the biggest race during her tenure will be the 2010 governor’s race, but she said it’s too early to start talking about specific candidates.

“The important thing is to have a Democratic governor with the ideals of the Democratic Party that will continue through every aspect of the administration,” Allen said.

Allen said she got into politics because her father was a civil rights worker. She said last night she felt her father’s presence.

Allen said Michelle Obama “hit the ball out of the park” with her speech.

“She was just majestic,” Allen said. “I had not realized what a woman of substance she is.”