By Marina Villeneuve, The Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Maine — Two new political groups are ready to spend tens of thousands of dollars on door-to-door canvassing and contributions ahead of this fall’s statewide election.
Maine legislative candidates will vie for seats and control of the chambers this November. New political action committees include a California progressive group that supported independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid and a pro-tax reform group linked to GOP Gov. Paul LePage.
The new groups are popping up at a time when an increasing amount of out-of-state, often untraceable money is entering Maine politics.
State campaign finance records show that named out-of-state donors have contributed about $7.7 million to Maine ballot question campaigns, PACs, parties and candidates so far this year. The next deadline for political groups to report fundraising and spending is Oct. 5.