Blogger Kevin Wack points out one reason why a handful of voters might have a grudge against Senate candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland).

Wack covered politics for the Portland Press Herald up until several months ago, and left when they offered voluntary buyouts as a means of cutting staff. Since then he has started a blog following Maine’s U.S. Senate race between Allen and incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

In a post Tuesday, he recalled a situation in Lewiston-Auburn in December 1999, when the U.S. Postal Service was considering relocating a Portland distribution center to the twin cities, which would have meant jobs for the area.

That month, however, the Postal Service changed its mind and decided to relocate the center back to Portland. Lewiston-Auburn residents blamed Allen, who reportedly asked Postal Service officials to reconsider the state’s largest city. Portland is in his district. Lewiston-Auburn is in the second district.

Wack said that those Lewiston-Auburn residents who he upset in 1999 might be a key demographic for Allen in his Senate race. He writes:

“Today, looking back at what happened, it’s hard not to feel some sympathy for Allen. The USPS fight was a classic battle between two parochial interests - a no-win situation for an ambitious congressman. Then-U.S. Rep. John Baldacci, whose congressional district included Lewiston and Auburn, conceded as much in 1999, saying that Allen was “doing his job and representing his constituents.”

Check out Wack’s post for more, including quotes from a leader in the 1999 fight.