RUMFORD – Miranda Brackett was a first-time caucus goer Sunday afternoon joining nearly 200 Democrats from seven area towns jammed into the Mountain Valley High School cafeteria.

Brackett, who supports Sen. Barack Obama, believes that the presidential election involves many issues crucial to young people. At age 17, she had a good reason for being at her first caucus, but she was far from alone.

Many others of all ages were also attending a caucus for the first time.

“I don’t like caucuses, but I feel so strongly this year,” said Arthur Bouchard Jr. of Mexico.

His wife, Bonita, believes Sen. Hillary Clinton is the only Democratic candidate who can beat Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican nominee.

“Obama is a little too young,” she said.

At the Hanover town caucus, usually only one or two people turn out. This year, a dozen made their presidential preferences known, all voting with Obama, which gave him one delegate.

“There is so much excitement over the candidates this year. Maine matters this year,” said Joann Moulton of Hanover.

From Roxbury, the four voters who attended their caucus supported Clinton.

Heather Carey, and Steve and Carrie Puiia, all of Dixfield, were also attending their town’s caucus for the first time. Carey supports Obama, whom she said gives a lot of hope to the country.

The Puiias support Clinton.

“We went to the rally in Lewiston. It was very inspiring,” said Steve Puiia.

Carrie Puiia said Clinton’s experience and intelligence gave her hope for the future.

Peru caucus convener Bill Hine said more than twice the number of voters attended this presidential preference caucus than in the past. Of the 18 people who turned out from Peru, eight voted for Clinton, seven for Obama, one for John Edwards, and two were undecided.

When all was said and done, Democrats from Hanover, Roxbury, Peru, Dixfield, Mexico, Byron and Rumford voted 101 to 79 in favor of Clinton. That translated into 26 delegates for Clinton and 18 for Obama in an unofficial tally.

Other town results were: Rumford, 45 Clinton, 30 Obama, Clinton (12-8 delegates); Mexico, 27 Clinton, 16 Obama, (6-4 delegates); Dixfield, 16 Clinton, 14 Obama (3-3 delegates) and Byron, 1 Clinton 0 Obama (1-0).

Besides choosing state convention delegates, Matt Peterson of Rumford announced his candidacy for the state representative seat that will be vacated by Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, at the end of the year.

Patrick will be termed out. He announced plans to run for Oxford County commissioner. Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, said she will run for a full, two-year term in the fall. She is completing a term vacated by former Rep. Randy Hotham. State Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, will also run for a fourth two-year term.

Janine Hanrahan, a Clinton volunteer from Massachusetts, said she was pleased with the support the area’s seven towns gave to Clinton. Hillary Barbour, an Obama volunteer from New Hampshire, said her candidate also had a good showing.

“He had been very far down in Maine. Today, he did well,” she said.