The Lewiston Coordinated Campaign Office has just opened at the old Lamey-Wellehan shoe store, 110 Lisbon St. The formal opening won’t be held until August. The office will represent all Democratic campaigns, from the White House to the State House.

Tonight during the Festival de Joie, John Kerry supporters will march in the parade. They’ll gather at the office around 6:30 p.m. After the parade, Democrats will again gather to watch the convention around 7:30 p.m. Live phone calls to the office are expected by U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, and the two L-A delegates in Boston, psychologist Elaine Makas and Navy veteran Ed Desgrosseilliers. Applause at the convention was loud and extended Monday night when Bill and Hillary Clinton took the stage, Desgrosseilliers said.

Thursday night an estimated 100 local Kerry supporters will gather in the office after 7 p.m. to watch Kerry’s acceptance speech, which is expected to be late. Multiple televisions will be available.

The Lewiston office, which features historic campaign posters of such Democratic luminaries as John F. Kennedy and Maine’s Ed Muskie, is headed by Ben Buxton. The building is owned by Jim Wellehan, and is the same space used for last year’s “Casinos NO!” campaign, and for Susan Longley’s bid for Congress the year before. The Democratic office does not yet have regular hours.

Banking on it

In the 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Mike Michaud leads the money-raising race against Republican challenger Brian Hamel, as of the end of June.

Michaud reported having collected a total of $935,171 so far in his re-election campaign. Hamel has raised roughly one-third that amount, or $340,486.

While Michaud had $587,484 cash on hand after expenses, Hamel had $283,678.08, according to recent Federal Election Commission filings. Michaud received about 60 percent of his contributions from political action committees, the remainder from individuals. Hamel got 85 percent of his contributions from individuals. Neither candidate has loaned money to his campaign.

State House replacement candidates

Monday was the deadline for political parties to name replacement State House candidates and submit them to the secretary of state. Replacement candidates are to cover for the 41 people who dropped out after the June 8 primary. Republicans have candidates for 34 of the 35 Senate races, and 149 out of 151 House races, according to Maine Republican Party Chairwoman Kathy Watson. Local GOP replacement House candidates are: Guy Carrier of Auburn for House District 70; Meesa Jones of Lewiston, House District 72; and John Painter of Lewiston, House District 74. Republicans don’t have a candidate to challenge incumbent Rep. Lillian O’Brien, D-Lewiston, in District 73.

Democratic replacement candidates are Kathleen Dougherty of Otisfield for District 100 (Mechanic Falls, Otisfield and Oxford); and Denis Morse of Raymond for District 103, which includes part of Poland. Pending the outcome of one race currently under court challenge, Democrats have candidates for all 35 Senate seats, and 146 candidates for the 151 House seats, said Toby Guzowski of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

– By staff writers Bonnie Washuk and Christopher Williams