PolitickerME.com is on the trail with U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) and former Sen. George Mitchell as they make four stops in Waterville, Skowhegan, Portland and Lewiston. Allen is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her seat this year.

LEWISTON – People crowded into the basement of the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston Tuesday evening, lining up for hot dogs and baked beans, and filling every table to hear former Sen. George Mitchell and U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud speak.

This was one of a number of “conversation for change” community suppers Allen’s campaign has hosted. This year he is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) for her seat.

Mitchell was the first to speak, and reminisced about his first run for office in the 1980s.

“I was way behind in the polls, and they said I had no chance to win,” he said. “I started in Lewiston. When Democrats don’t win in Lewiston, they don’t win statewide.”

When Allen got up to speak, he called Androscoggin County “ground zero” for the campaign. Both he and Collins are working hard in the area.

“You are absolutely central to what happens not just in Maine, but in this Senate race…” Allen said. “You are going to decide if there are enough votes in the U.S. Senate to turn this economy around.”

Wednesday morning, Larry Gilbert, the mayor of Lewiston, and John Jenkins, the mayor of twin city Auburn, will announce their endorsement of Collins. Gilbert is a Democrat, Jenkins is an independent.

Carol Andrews, spokeswoman for Allen, called these endorsements “old news”, and noted the number of community leaders supporting Allen including Sheriff Guy Desjardins.