Ethan Strimling joins Democratic race to succeed Tom Allen

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http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=136919&ac=PHnws

State Sen. Ethan Strimling officially launched his bid for Congress on Thursday, telling a group of supporters that the Bush administration is out of touch with average voters.

Strimling's announcement had been anticipated for months because the Portland Democrat has been raising cash and meeting with people around Maine's 1st Congressional District. He drew some flak during the exploratory phase of his campaign for continuing to co-host a weekly radio show, which he now is leaving.

At Thursday's announcement, Strimling acknowledged the criticism and drew laughs when he joked, "Well, this has been so much fun, I think I ought to just keep exploring."

Strimling is the fifth Democrat to enter the campaign to replace Rep. Tom Allen, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

The other Democratic contenders are Michael Brennan of Portland, Adam Cote of Portland, Mark Lawrence of South Berwick and Chellie Pingree of North Haven.

Dean Scontras of Eliot and Charlie Summers of Scarborough have announced plans to enter the Republican primary.

Strimling, 39, is a New York native who studied acting at The Juilliard School before moving to Maine. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2002. He also is the executive director of a Portland social services agency.

Thursday's announcement followed campaign stops at a social service agency in Sanford, a rehabilitated mill in Biddeford and a marine research center in Portland.

Strimling was introduced by state Sen. Bill Diamond, D- Windham, who praised him as a champion of the working class.

In a speech to supporters, Strimling talked about his recent visits with 1st District voters.

"I heard people saying to me, 'We're not being listened to. Our lives are hard, and nobody is listening in Washington,"' Strimling said during the speech, held in the basement of an Old Port restaurant. "We have an administration right now -- billions of dollars wasted on this foreign policy disaster while people can't meet their health care premiums."

Strimling criticized Bush Administration tax cuts for the wealthy and drew cheers when he asked, "Is it time to end this war? Is it time to close the gap between the rich and the poor?"

Because Strimling was not officially a candidate until Thursday, he has not filed fundraising reports with the Federal Election Commission. He will file a campaign finance report for the current quarter by the Oct. 15 deadline, according to his campaign manager, Corey Hascall.

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