PARIS - Braving icy winds, several Democrats running for state and county office appeared Thursday on the steps of the Oxford County Superior Courthouse.

U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-2nd, praised voters who turned out for the Democratic caucuses earlier this month.

"A lot of people around the world are excited about what's happening in the United States," Michaud said, "and it starts right here at the state and local level."

Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, who is running for one of two opening county commissioner seats this year, said he will look to change the county from a calendar year to a fiscal year to save money, update the treasurer's computer system and cooperate in a bipartisan manner with other commissioners.

"I'm hoping to bring positive, progressive changes to the commission," he said.

Other candidates kept their comments brief.

"It's a very important job, and if I do get elected, I promise I'll do the best that I can," said Paul Dumas Jr., a Mexico attorney running for judge of probate.

In other county positions, Charleen Chase of Bethel is running for a commission seat and Bruce Rood of Norway is running for register of probate.

In the Maine Legislature, Sen. Bruce Bryant of Dixfield, and Reps. Sheryl Briggs of Mexico, Tim Carter of Bethel, Terry Hayes of Buckfield and Larry Sirois of Turner are seeking re-election. Russell Newcomb, chairman of the Norway Board of Selectmen, is running for a seat in House District 95, while Lisa Villa, a selectwoman in Harrison, is running for the Senate District 13 seat.

Matthew Peterson of Rumford, Helen Rankin of Hiram, Megan Crawford of Harrison and James Bradley of Mechanic Falls have announced their intentions to run for seats in the House of Representatives.

The Oxford County Democrats do not yet have a candidate for House District 99, which serves Denmark, Baldwin, Sebago, Cornish and Limington.