The article "Maryland: A lonely state for Republicans" (Web, Thursday) gives a distorted picture that reminds me of the Mark Twain quote "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." There is no question that the electoral results did not turn out in our favor, as we lost my race for the U.S. Senate and a hotly contested race in Congressional District 6. To argue over this would be foolhardy. Context matters, however, and the article leaves out vital information regarding my race in which Maryland Republicans can take solace.
Maine has made headlines as far away as California this year for playing host to one of the nation's most convoluted and unique U.S. Senate races — a three-way contest defined as much by the blurring of party lines as the seemingly endless flow of cash into the state from outside sources seeking to manipulate the outcome.
Sen. Olympia J. Snowe's decision to retire this year, citing "polarization" in Washington, shocked Maine voters and set off a crazy scramble between would-be successors — including a fellow Republican who is feuding with Mrs. Snowe, an independent former governor who vows to try to work with both parties and a Democrat whose own party doesn't particularly want to see her do well.
Maine delegates in town for the Democratic National Convention remained optimistic about the three-way Senate race in the Pine Tree State, gamely insisting the values of their candidate, Cynthia Dill, can still prevail even though centrist independent Angus King appears ready to run away with the race.
Maine Democrats are struggling to find a strong contender to challenge for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Olympia J. Snowe, but both parties may find their picks overshadowed by the independent candidacy of popular former Gov. Angus King.
