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The Hotline's Futures Market

February 2, 2006 9:04 AM | |

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What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives.

Today's state: Maine.

Retirement rumors abound in ME, but so far, none have come true. Some Dems we talked to still hope Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) will forgo a re-election bid in '06, but that's not going to happen. Meanwhile, term limits are causing serious turnover and constant new blood, so while some of our '03 stars are still rising, several are considered finished. Still, most of the ones we watch seem poised to spring out of the box at the first hint of a real retirement. [REID WILSON]


The stars we've been watching since '03:

  • Ex-State Sen. Rick Bennett (R): Bennett, forced out by term limits, is "out of the political scene," although he maintains a position as Sen. Olympia Snowe's (R) campaign treasurer.

  • State Sen. Ken Blais (R): After finishing a term in the State Sen., Blais moved to FL and hasn't been heard from by political movers and shakers since.

  • Yarmouth Atty Jed French (R): "Hasn't been involved in anything" of late.

  • State Rep. Kevin Glynn (R): Faces "an uphill battle" in a bid for State Sen. against an incumbent Dem in '06.

  • '02 ME 01 nom. Steve Joyce (R): Has "dropped out of sight."

  • Ex-State Sen. Charlie Summers (R): Regional director of Small Business Admin out of Boston after losing a bid to Rep. Tom Allen (D). He's "not going to be running for anything."

  • State Sen. Carol Weston (R): The Asst Min Leader in the Sen, Weston is running the GOP's effort to take back the chamber.

  • Ex-Bangor Mayor Tim Woodcock (R): "Not doing anything" at the moment. His name is "always bounced around," but he hasn't run.

  • Ex-State Sen. Beverly Daggett (D): The former State Sen. Pres. was forced out by term limits. "She's inactive."

  • State Rep. Ben Dudley (D): In his last term in the House, some don't think he has a future after he was recruited to run for State Sen and demurred.

  • State Rep. Hannah Pingree (D): The daughter of '02 Dem Sen nominee Cheryl Pingree, Hannah "has emerged as a very articulate spokesperson" and "a very effective legislator." She's currently running for Maj Floor Leader. "I would hope someday she would be able to be governor."

  • State Sen. Ethan Strimling (D): Called the most liberal member of the State Sen., Strimling is said to be contemplating a bid for Rep. Tom Allen's ME 01 seat should Allen move on to higher office. Strimling is "very interested in higher office."

And the stars to watch in the future:

  • State Rep. Josh Tardy (R): The Asst GOP Leader will probably move up a spot in leadership when the incumbent is forced out by term limits. If GOPers take control of the State House, he could very well be Speaker in '06. Some GOPers are confident that "he'll run for Congress" sometime in the future.

  • State Sen. Kevin Ray (R): The former CoS to Sen. Snowe, Ray ran in '02 against Rep. Michael Michaud (ME 02). He's one of a few in ME who has his own PAC, and the rumor mill is abuzz that he might run for Sen. Susan Collins' (R) seat in '10 if she runs for Gov, as many GOPers expect.

  • Kevin Hancock: Owner of Hancock Lumber, he considered a bid for Gov in '06 but passed. He's said to be trying to get networked for a future Gov bid through various GOP cmtes in ME and DC.

  • State Rep. Darleen Curley (R): A possible candidate in '06 against Allen or Gov. John Baldacci (D), though GOPers acknowledge her late entry to the race. She has deep pockets and could at least partially self-fund, but win or lose, "she'll continue to be in" ME "politics for a long time."

  • State Rep. Jeremy Fischer (D): In his late 20's and his 2nd term, the moderate Dem is considering a bid for leadership after founding a PAC. The youngest member of the House Approps cmte, he's "an individual with serious potential."

  • Baldacci Campaign Mngr Jesse Connolly: After running the KE '04 race in ME and exceeding expectations, Connolly has been called "the best operative we have" in ME.

  • Jess Knox (D): The Legislative and Policy Dir. to State House Speaker John Richardson (D), Knox is "very smart" and has "a great future."

  • Emmett Beliveau: Son of Severin Beliveau, considered by some as the dean of the State Dem party, Emmett has worked on campaigns "since he could walk." The recent Georgetown Law grad now works for Patton Boggs in DC and is "very well connected." Some think he has a bright future in ME politics.