The Maine League of Conservation Voters recently recognized some Democratic members of the Lewiston-Auburn delegation for their environmentally friendly voting records in the last legislative session.

Lewiston Reps. Michael Carey and Dick Wagner, Auburn Reps. Mark Samson and Deb Simpson and Sen. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston “scored high marks for their support of new laws that will boost energy efficiency, lessen dependence on foreign oil and reduce carbon emissions in the Northeast,” according to a statement.

Carey, Wagner and Rotundo scored 100 percent ratings and Samson and Simpson scored a 90 percent rating from the group.

The Maine League of Conservation Voters has kept track of legislators’ voting records on environmental issues since 1986. For more information on the voting records from the 123rd Legislature, visit www.mlcv.org.

Poll shows Collins ahead; Allen still confident

Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins leads Democratic candidate, Congressman Tom Allen, by 19 points, according to a Maine poll by Research 2000 conducted from Sept. 8 to 10.

The poll shows Collins with 57 percent support and Allen with 38 percent, with 5 percent undecided. It was taken at the request of Daily Kos, a liberal blog site, from a pool of 600 likely voters and has a margin or error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Carol Andrews of the Allen campaign said the recent national conventions have caused “some distortion” for statewide races.

“That will settle down in coming days,” she said. “We feel very good about where we are and are confident we will win this race.”

Andrews said the campaign’s internal polling, taken more recently, indicated the race is tightening.

The Research 2000 poll showed Collins winning 38 percent support from Democrats and 59 percent support from Independents. Allen received 16 percent support from Republicans and 36 percent support from Independents. Collins also led Allen by double digits in every age group.

Kevin Kelley of the Collins campaign said his group is pleased with numbers.

“It’s gratifying to see the support, according to this poll, (Sen. Collins) has among Democrats and Independents,” he said. “It shows that people hear her message and that her hard work over her 12 years in the Senate is paying off.”

The same poll showed Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama leading Republican nominee John McCain, 52 percent to 38 percent, with 4 percent undecided.

– Rebekah Metzler

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