FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008

CONTACT: REBECCA POLLARD, 772-4353

(PORTLAND, MAINE) - Democrats in Maine are so hungry for change this election, they have worked together to open an unprecedented 25 offices across the state, including at least one office in every single one of Maine's 16 counties, according to Peter Chandler, Campaign Director for Victory 2008, the Coordinated Campaign of the Maine Democratic Party.

"This is unlike anything Maine has ever seen," Chandler said.

With the opening of its Farmington outpost last week, the Democrats have secured a hub in every county of the state, giving Democratic-minded volunteers, staffers, and anyone interested in lending a hand to elect leaders like Barack Obama and Tom Allen a place to congregate. There, they can make phone calls, talk about the issues, or stuff envelopes in a true grassroots effort that has made Maine's Coordinated Campaign one of, if not the, most advanced Democratic Coordinated Campaign in the entire nation.

"This campaign is not about Robo-calls from some out-of-state company. The Maine Democratic campaign is about neighbors talking to neighbors in every single corner of the state of Maine," said Chandler, who is on leave as Rep. Mike Michaud's Chief of Staff to run the effort. "We are leaving no town, no matter how rural or how traditionally Republican, without a gathering spot in their county to go to and get involved for change this November."

And the Democrats are not yet done. Chandler said that by Election Day, he expects their campaign could have as many as 40 offices across the state.

With 52 staffers and 50 interns, the campaign truly has reached an unprecedented size. So too is the involvement of young people beyond the scope of campaigns past. The Dems have dedicated two paid Youth Coordinators to organize dozens of youth-centered volunteer activities using various youth recruitment tools-including youth-to-youth call nights followed by bands or pizza or bowling, and the use of online social networking sites like Facebook and My Space to inform young voters and spread the word about upcoming events or candidates' policy positions. They will have a strong presence on Maine's college campuses this fall as well.

"While the age range of volunteers is really running the gamut, I have never seen young people so engaged, so early in a campaign in Maine in my lifetime," Chandler said. "They are starting to take control of their own lives at a time when they see their grandparents struggling to pay for medicine, the parents getting laid off, and their friends trying to pay for college or gas to get to work or serving in Iraq-and they want something different. They see leaders like Barack Obama and Tom Allen who can make change happen and have inspired them to get involved."

Earlier this year, the campaign unveiled a new logo and web site to reflect their new attitude and organization. Led by the motto, "Change Starts with Me in Maine," the team is always looking for more people to get involved. To do that, go to: http://www.mainedems.org/action.html for details on the following offices: Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Belfast, Bethel, Biddeford, Damariscotta, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Farmington, Fryeburg, Gardiner/Hallowell, Lewiston, Machias, Norway, Portland Headquarters, Portland Field, Presque Isle, Rockland, Rumford, Sanford, Skowhegan, York and Yarmouth.