On the same night that Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for President, U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen (D-Portland) will share the stage with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and three other top Senate challengers.

“We have a once-in-a-generation chance to bring meaningful and lasting change to our country by electing Barack Obama President and sending a stronger Democratic majority to the Senate,” said Schumer, the chairman of the Democratic National Senatorial Campaign Committee. “We need a stronger majority in the Senate to enact Obama’s broad, sweeping agenda, and our outstanding group of candidates is ready to deliver it.”

Allen, a current U.S. Representative, is challenging incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

The following Senate candidates, all Democratic challengers, will join Schumer and Allen: Jean Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tom Udall of New Mexico and Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

In a release from the Democratic National Committee, Allen said: “Next week’s Convention will be a tremendous opportunity to talk about how we can change the direction of Maine and our nation. I look forward to speaking to my fellow delegates about solving the energy crisis, bringing our troops home safely and responsibly from Iraq, providing universal health care, and expanding opportunities for the middle class.”