Libby Mitchell

Women for Obama: State Sen. Libby Mitchell (D-Vassalboro) speaks at a Maine Women for Obama lunch. Campaign photo.

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s Maine campaign announced its “Maine Women for Obama” group today.

The group is headed by outgoing Senate President Beth Edmonds (D-Freeport) and state Sen. Libby Mitchell (D-Vassalboro).

Other state co-chairs are: First lady Karen Baldacci, former first lady Mary Hermon, former Maine Senate President Beverly Daggett, Maine House majority leader Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven.)

This back and forth in the editorial pages is all very interesting for the 50 or so insiders that read it. Unfortunately for Tom, however, he's not running against Libby Mitchell for the State Senate.  He's going for a rematch against Sen. Joe Perry, the chair of the taxaxtion committee and Democrat, who took the seat from Sawyer in 2004.

If I were Mr. Sawyer, I would knock on 50 doors in Bangor and leave the soda wars to the professionals.

Senator Libby Mitchell launched a missile in to the Fed UP With Taxes camp in an op ed piece she wrote in the Bangor Daily News.

Just in case you had any doubt how big the battle will be this Fall, when the People's Veto is on the ballot --Senator Mitchell's opening line should remove all doubt: "Maine residents fed up with undemocratic taxes" by Newell Augur, paid lobbyist for the beverage industry, takes the grand prize for confusing fact and fiction.

"Health Coverage for Maine" was registered as a PAC on May 20th. The purpose of the group, according to the registration filing is to oppose the People's Veto or the repeal of LD 2247.

The group is headed by Ezra Hark, who according to his myspace page is a recent graduate of Colby College and worked on the re-election campaign for Governor Baldacci. In addition, he served as a Legislative Aid for the House Democrats. He also has a picture of himself riding a merry-go-round and according to his myspace entry, his favorite drink is Jack and Ginger, he prefers Coke over Pepsi and does not care for red-heads. All of which can only lead to one conclusion-- please -- dear God, enough with the myspace entries. Parents -- stop your children now before it's too late.

PolitickerME asked six Democrats in the Legislature how they were feeling about the budget that passed. Responding in the video below: House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland; Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport; House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven; Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell, D-Vassalboro; Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham; and Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, a member of the Appropriations Committee.

In addition, the Senate Majority Office has sent on this video of Sen. Peggy Rotundo’s floor speech. Rotundo, D-Lewiston, is the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.

The House approved the Democratic version of the state budget 82 to 63 Wednesday evening. There are about 50 amendments being printed which will be taken up Thursday.

With Senator Beth Edmonds missing in action at the State House today, the Senate Democrats found themselves in the awkward position of not being in the majority.

Portland Democrat Cliff Ginn is planning a bid for the state Senate. The seat is being vacated by Democrat Ethan Strimling, who is running for Congress.

Elizabeth J. Mitchell, also a Portland Democrat, had previously said she would also seek the seat, but today decided against it. She is the daughter of current Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell.  read more »

State Rep. Scott Lansley, R-Sabattus, said the state won’t back down in their refusal to participate in the REAL ID Act.

Lansley sponsored the resolution barring Maine from participating in the REAL ID Act. It passed under the gavel in June. Sixteen other states passed similar resolutions.  read more »

UPDATED JAN. 9, 11 PM with information on other races 

The daughter of Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, plans to run for the State Senate.

In addition, Senate Minority leadership will seek reelection, and Rep. David Miramant, D-Camden, has a confirmed opponent in the race for Senate

Elizabeth Mitchell, from Portland, will run for Ethan Strimling’s seat, her mom confirmed Wednesday.