The Portland area League of Young Voters announced their endorsements today.

They are:

U.S. Senate: Tom Allen, D-Portland

First Congressional District: Chellie Pingree, D-North Haven

State Senate District 8: Justin Alfond, D-Portland, the league’s founder

State House District 114: Peter Stuckey , D-Portland

H.D. 120: Diane Russell, D-Portland

"I'm thrilled and honored to have the endorsement of the League of Young Voters," Pingree said in a statement. "The League has become an impressive force in Maine politics and it's exciting to have the support of such an energetic and engaged organization. The League's goal of building a progressive governing majority is just what this country needs right now, and I'm honored to be able to work with them to achieve it.”

The league is a non-partisan organization. Communications Director Katie Diamond said they reached out to the two Republican candidates in CD1, the only contested race for Republicans in Portland, but neither responded to the League’s questionnaire.

This is the first time the league has endorsed in a primary. It is part of the group’s Project Vote. The final part of the project will be to release a voter guide, due out at the end of the week.

"It was a hard process with difficult decisions [at Project Vote], but the organization has really represented its members wishes and really respected a democratic voting procedure," says Jill Barkley, League Steering Committee member and volunteer. "I really enjoyed hearing what other Leaguers had to say about each candidate."