Start a war BY AL DIAMON

Democratic U.S. representative Tom Allen of Maine's 1st District doesn't yet have a Republican opponent in next year's election (although GOP sources claim state representative Darlene Curley of Scarborough is only delaying her announcement until she's sure her last name won't subject her to jokes about being a sacrificial lamb). But Allen, who has one of the most liberal voting records in Congress, may face a 2006 challenge from an unexpected direction: the Left.

Dexter Kamiliewicz, a real-estate broker from Orr's Island, says he's been approached by anti-war activists urging him to try to oust Allen. Which is odd, because Allen voted against the war in Iraq and won praise last July from none other than Kamiliewicz for holding a public meeting to discuss citizen opposition to the conflict.

Apparently, that wasn't sufficient. In a newspaper op-ed on November 28, Kamiliewicz attacked Allen for supporting, "in virtual silence," supplemental budget requests to finance the war. In addition, Kamiliewicz, whose son is currently serving in Iraq, believes the congressman has failed to address the issue of forcing troops to endure multiple tours of duty in the war zone. He wants Congress to discuss re-instituting a military draft, and he doesn't want conscription limited to men. "Women serve and die in Iraq," he told a September peace rally outside the Brunswick Naval Air Station, "but George Bush['s] and Tom Allen's daughters do not serve in Iraq."

In the same speech, Kamiliewicz appeared to call for legal action against American political and military leaders. "I believe that the killing of innocent people in Iraq rises to crimes against humanity as defined by the [Nuremberg] trial," he said.

In an e-mail, Kamiliewicz confirms he's formed an exploratory committee to evaluate his possible candidacy. He also lists other issues he's concerned about, including tax breaks for the rich; tax credits for oil companies; pork-barrel spending; the lack of national plans for energy, health care, and the economy; and "rampant dishonesty among elected politicians and staffers."

He refuses to say when he'd decide about running or whether he'd challenge Allen as a Democrat, Green or independent.

PLANS

If you're like most people, you can't wait to find out whether Republicans or Democrats will control the state senate after the 2006 election.

Wait. I might have that wrong.

Sorry. The statistics were upside down. As it turns out, if you're like most people, you couldn't care less whether Republicans or Democrats control the state senate, having concluded both parties are packs of rabid ferrets.

Which is lucky for me because, not only am I not up to date on my rabies shots, I also have no idea which gang of infected polecats will prevail. What I do know is there's lots of early maneuvering over a few key seats. On the off chance your life is unbearably boring, here are some potential match-ups to watch for:

Democratic state senator Nancy Sullivan of Biddeford could face a challenge from state representative Joanne Twomey of Biddeford, who recently switched her affiliation from Dem to independent. If it appears Twomey might peel off lots of liberals, look for GOP state representative Stedman Seavey of Kennebunkport to jump in the race and try to steal a Democratic seat.

Another place where the donkey party could have trouble with a former member is Franklin County. Republican state senator Chandler Woodcock of Farmington is running for governor, and state representative Thomas Saviello of Wilton, now an independent, wants to succeed him in the senate. The GOP likes Saviello and probably won't offer any serious opposition, which means he'll only have to defeat somebody like Democratic state representative Janet Mills of Farmington, who barely held onto her House seat in the last election.

Republicans may not be so lucky in replacing another gubernatorial hopeful. Cornville state senator Peter Mills's district leans Democratic, and former Dem legislator Pam Hatch of Skowhegan, who lost a tough battle to Mills in 2004, is said to be lusting for a return to Augusta. The best the GOP has so far is Philip Roy, a Fairfield town councilor who came up short in a 2004 race for Somerset County commissioner.

In Bangor, former mayor Frank Farrington, a Republican, is weighing a run against freshman Democratic state senator Joe Perry. In Portland's western suburbs, Gorham town councilor Burleigh Loveitt, a Republican, is considering a bid to unseat Democratic state senator Philip Bartlett of Gorham, another frosh.

Democratic state senator Scott Cowger of Hallowell is retiring. GOP state representative Earle McCormick of West Gardiner wants to replace him, but first he'll have to get through Republican-turned-Democrat Stan Moody, a state representative from Manchester (which might not be too difficult), or former Senate Democratic floor leader Sharon Treat of Gardiner (which would be tougher).

Running for something? Running from something? Just running your mouth? E-mail me at ishmaelia@gwi.net