WASHINGTON — Citing the Maine Republican Party’s highly criticized handling of its presidential straw poll this month, Andrew Ian Dodge has dropped out of the party so he can campaign for U.S. Senate against Sen. Olympia Snowe as an independent.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine first called President Obama’s revised birth-control bill a step in the right direction when it was announced Feb. 10.

WASHINGTON — Maine will get less federal homeland security funding this year to distribute to local first responders.

WASHINGTON — Republican Mitt Romney gained ground over rival Ron Paul in a Friday recount of Maine’s GOP presidential caucuses so far, but state party officials still couldn’t guarantee it was an accurate tally.

WASHINGTON — Democratic Reps. Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud split over the vote to extend the payroll tax cut extension and extend unemployment benefits.

WASHINGTON — Republican Mitt Romney gained ground over rival Ron Paul in a Friday recount of Maine’s GOP presidential caucuses so far, but state party officials still couldn’t guarantee it was an accurate tally.

WASHINGTON — Kathy Howell of Jonesport said she expects Washington County Republicans to turn out in droves today to vote in what has become a nationally prominent presidential straw poll.

WASHINGTON — Maine will get less federal homeland security funding this year to distribute to local first responders.

Maine’s funding in 2012 will drop from $5.1 million to $2.8 million according to Sen. Susan Collins, who is the top Republican on the homeland security committee.