Pingree, eyeing elective office, leaving Common Cause

AUGUSTA, Maine — Common Cause President Chellie Pingree said Tuesday she plans to leave the Washington-based national watchdog group after four years as its president to "consider political opportunities back in Maine."

Pingree, a former Democratic state legislator from North Haven who unsuccessfully sought to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in 2002, said she informed her staff of her decision on Monday and intends to step down next month.

Pingree said leaving Common Cause would free her up to explore whether to seek election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine´s 1st District.

"This is a great organization to work for," Pingree said, "but my heart is in Maine."

The 1st District incumbent, sixth-term Democrat Tom Allen of Portland, has signaled he may run against Collins next year but has not announced he will do so.

http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D8MVS42G0-29.html

Aplogies if this isn't LBN-worthy. I debated putting this here or GD-Politics.

I think Tom can beat Collins....sounds like a plan, man....

to boost her appeal. I voted for her--in spite of the fact that she embraced the wife of the infamous Democrat in name only, Joe Lieberman.

Has she changed her mind? Let's get an answer from her. And if she has, we should ask her why.