[img_assist|nid=2581|title=State Sen. Ethan Strimling|desc=Campaign Photo|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=300]Following his loss in the Democratic Congressional primary, outgoing state Sen. Ethan Strimling (D-Portland) is focusing on an organization he helped form in 2004.

A Rising Tide trains young Mainers in grassroots campaigning and organizing. It will train its 13th class of 30 people this weekend.

Strimling’s former campaign manager, Corey Hascall, is the executive director.

The training is free, but then graduates must spend 40 hours volunteering for an effort of their choice.

Trainers are: Dennis Bailey, President of Savvy Inc. and Democratic political strategist; Chris Potholm, Bowdoin College Professor and pollster and Roy Lenardson, a Republican political consultant and strategist.