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To capitalize on the Republican infighting, Maine Democrats will need to recruit a challenger, even though they are generally pleased with Snowe’s moderate record.
Neither Rep. Chellie Pingree (D) nor Rep. Mike Michaud (D) is thought to be interested. Former gubernatorial candidate Rosa Scarcelli (D) is openly considering a run, but she told Roll Call last month that Snowe would have to move decidedly to the right to persuade her to run.
Democrats’ best chance, according to Scarcelli, will come if Snowe shifts her positions sharply to the right to fend off a primary challenge. But at this point, Scarcelli said she’s “proud” of her potential opponent.
Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) “are both good moderates,” Scarcelli said. “Olympia’s challenge right now, her fear is that she will have a very conservative opponent. My concern for all of us is that she’s going to have to tack far to the right to maintain her base. But I am proud of our women Senators. It would be a tremendous challenge to run for her seat. But if there’s a primary challenge, it’s something we need to look hard at, whether it’s me or someone else.”
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