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This year's newest member of the 5:01 p.m. club goes to Republican, George Rawlings Thomson, Jr. He withdrew with the Secretary of State shortly after 5:00 PM (rumor is 5:04 p.m.) and as a result Rep. Nancy Smith (D-Monmouth) will be getting a free ride in the election this November.

Gov. John BaldacciGranted, it’s little. Given all the budget woes the state went through this year, however, a small budget surplus was something for Gov. John Baldacci to brag about Monday.

According to a release from Baldacci’s office, the state finished the 2008 fiscal year with a General Fund surplus of $56 million, and a Highway Fund surplus of $2.5 million.

Of the General Fund surplus, $47.4 million was surplus revenue, $7.1 million resulted from lapsed account balances, and $1.5 million came from other adjustments.

“The year-end surplus is the result of a disciplined budget approach,” Governor John E. Baldacci said. “Maine faced a grim economic picture earlier this year that required the State to make many difficult decisions. That hard work has allowed us to finish the year in a good position. Unfortunately, high energy prices and a still-struggling national economy could further erode revenues in the next fiscal year.”

Is there any politician in Maine that doesn't have an energy plan?

As far as I can tell we are being told we need more wind mills, more hydroelectric, more oil, less oil, more drilling, less drilling, more nuke plants, no nukes, more conservation, less consumption, more hybrids, less driving, more car pooling, different light bulbs, less speculation, tax credits, more transmission lines, more wood pellet stoves, more weatherization, a tuned up boiler, more solar panels and on and on.......

The biggest political event in Maine Friday night took place four hours from Augusta, in a community center with folding furniture crammed tightly together, potato sacks lining the walls, and high school beauty queens serving up salad and ice cream.

The Potato Festival’s Industry Dinner in Fort Fairfield was the place to be for the who’s who in Maine politics. To give some flavor of the event, below is a video of county resident Jeramiah Donovan singing about potato picking season.

The Maine Democrats officially opened their Presque Isle office Friday afternoon.

The office will serve as a hub for the Democratic staff and volunteers for the area. It is one of 25 offices the Democratic coordinated campaign has opened this year.

See below for photos from the event, and a video of speeches by U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, Party Chairman John Knutson and Diana Allen, wife of U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen.

As PolitickerME and half of Maine’s political community ventured around Aroostook County today, the news kept going. Here are a few things we missed today:

Allen denounces card-check ad… Baldacci makes appointments… Real ID opponents fail to meet signature quota… Presidential campaigns come to life…

Herb Hoffman continues to enjoy his 15 minutes of fame which has now been going on for about six weeks, while the Fed UP With Taxes folks make good on step one of the People’s Veto. They are a few of this week's winners in PolitickerME's Winners & Losers list. | CLICK HERE

After the Fed Up With Taxes coalition submitted 90,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office, likely putting a People's Veto for beer and wine taxes on the November ballot, House Minority Leader Josh Tardy is predicting a "bruising battle" leading up to Election Day.
The coalition is fighting the recently passed taxes on beer, wine, and soda to support Dirigo Health. The bill also adds a 1.8 percent surcharge on hospital bills and doctor's fees, according to a release from Tardy's office.
The taxes do not apply to Maine breweries and wineries.
The coalition turned in 90,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office this week - far more than the 55,087 needed for a People's Veto.

Parties have until June 28 to replace the nine state Senate and 36 state House candidates who have dropped out of their legislative races. So far, replacements have been found for only seven of those candidates.

The list of drop-outs includes four incumbent representatives, all Democrats.

Both candidates for House District 56, part of Augusta, have dropped out, completely changing the roster for that race.

In addition, Sagadahoc County Sheriff Mark Westrum has decided not to run again. According to the Press Herald, he has accepted a post as administrator of the Two Bridges Regional Jail. The Times-Record had this story yesterday on the candidates hoping to replace him.

The following Republicans have opted not to run:

I’m off through July 23 for some much needed rest and relaxation. I'll be heading up to Niagara Falls and Buffalo, and then down to wine country.

Talk amongst yourselves while I'm gone. I'll give you a topic. The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman nor an empire. Discuss.