AUGUSTA – Washington politics took center stage on the second and final day of the Maine State Republican Convention, where the GOP’s most seasoned Capitol Hill contenders shared the hall with the party’s lesser-known congressional candidates.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who is seeking a third term, told the estimated 1,700 delegates Saturday that it was the Republican-controlled Congress and White House that could claim credit for a host of programs – from tax reductions to the new Medicare prescription drug program.

“It was Republicans and a Republican president who made that happen,” Snowe said several times during her 15-minute speech, during which she outlined issues still facing the country including a dependence on foreign oil and ensuring affordable health care.

“These are the challenges that still remain for Maine and America,” she said. “And if we are successful in addressing them … we will not only advance our party, but advance America.”

In November, Snowe will face one of two Democrats, Jean Hay Bright of Dixmont or Eric Mehnert of Orono, vying for that party’s nomination.

Snowe’s junior colleague, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is not up for re-election this year, although she said before addressing the convention that the energy in the hall almost made her wish she was.

“You’ll notice I said ‘almost,'” joked Collins, who called upon voters to keep Republicans in control of Congress.

“We will decide whether our nation will continue to be led by a party that faces up to challenges, the party that makes the tough decisions, the party that offers real solutions,” she said. “The alternative is to choose the party that offers nothing but criticism, obstruction and blame.”

Many campaign watchers believe it would be difficult for Democrats to win back majorities in the midterm elections, but some recent polls suggest the GOP, in general terms, is falling out of favor with voters. A Rasmussen Reports survey released May 1 found that 46 percent of voters would choose a generic Democrat in their district if the election were held today compared with 36 percent who would vote for a generic Republican.

While the veteran Snowe is considered a heavy favorite in her race, such is not the case for the Republican House hopefuls, both of whom will challenge popular Democratic incumbents.

L. Scott D’Amboise of Lisbon will run against Democrat U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud of Millinocket, who is seeking his third term representing the 2nd Congressional District.

“If you want a candidate who knows the meaning of values, the meaning of morals and the meaning of principles, then I’m your candidate,” D’Amboise, a former selectman in his hometown, told the thinning crowd Saturday afternoon. “I am a man of conviction and faith.”

Indeed, D’Amboise stressed his religious beliefs to the crowd, saying he would oppose abortion in all cases and that he believed society was in an “intense battle between right and wrong with the Almighty on one hand and Lucifer on the other.”

The GOP’s 1st Congressional District candidate, state Rep. Darlene Curley of Scarborough, is expected to face an equally tough battle in her attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Tom Allen of Portland, who is seeking his sixth term in the House.

Also seeking the seat is independent Dexter Kamilewicz, an anti-war candidate from Orrs Island.

In Curley’s convention address, she said it was time for “new energy and new ideas” from the southern Maine district.

“Its time for some results,” said Curley, a nurse who counted among her priorities lower health care costs and tighter border security.