Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen, a six-term U.S. congressman, held a community supper at VFW Post 1603 on Minot Avenue in Auburn last Monday. Allen has been holding similar suppers around the state as part of his campaign. He used the event as an opportunity to connect with voters by shaking hands, speaking to residents one-on-one and addressing the crowd of more than 50 people.

Allen acknowledged the flood of calls his office had received about the anti-union ad campaign being waged against him and about eight other Democratic Senate candidates nationwide during his 20-minute speech.

“They are attack ads. They are ugly, sleazy attack ads that have no place, not just in Maine, but in no place in the country,” he said. “Nobody, not me, not Susan Collins, nobody is trying to take away a secret ballot.”

He was asked by a supporter when a rebuttal ad would air and Allen said he was relying on his supporters rather than advertisements to counter the negative momentum.

Republicans working to get out the vote

Don’t be surprised if a stranger knocks on your door today.

The Maine Republican Party has organized a day of door-to-door campaigning across the state, including the Lewiston-Auburn area. Starting at 10 a.m., volunteers will make their way through neighborhoods to encourage support for a variety of Republican candidates.

“We have hundreds of volunteers dedicated to helping Republican candidates on the ticket this November, including electing John McCain for president, re-electing Sen. Susan Collins, electing our Republican congressional candidates and candidates for state and local offices,” Maine Republican Party Chairman Mark Ellis said in a statement.

Volunteers will also be making phone calls for support from offices in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston and Portland. Anyone who has questions for the campaign or who would like to volunteer is encouraged to call 891-9562 for more information.

– Rebekah Metzler

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