Republican Stavros Mendros, a former Lewiston lawmaker, is the Maine Field Director for Ron Paul, a Texas congressman running for president.

The Paul campaign opened the doors of its Portland headquarters Thursday evening. Paul is one of two presidential candidates with paid staff in Maine, along with Ohio Democrat Dennis Kucinich.

Forrest Keever owns the Congress Street building, and as he hung up the sign above the door, he said he has been a long time Paul supporter, so he was glad to rent it to the campaign.

Mendros said his primary responsibility on the campaign will be organizing and getting people to the caucuses.

“He has a clear, straight message,” Mendros said of Paul. “He calls it like he sees it.”

Thursday evening was the opening event. Fifty people packed the tiny office, picking up literature and talking about Ron Paul.

Former state legislator Ken Lindell is the state coordinator for Paul. Lindell said there is interest in Paul from all over the state, and strong grassroots support for him.

He said there is a chance Paul could come to Maine.

“I’ve always been an admirer of Ron Paul,” Lindell said. “He’s always been an example I’ve tried to live up to.”

Above: State Coordinator Ken Lindell talks to Dawn Miller of Green at the opening of the Ron Paul office in Portland Thursday evening.