AUGUSTA – A state Senate member from Portland on Sunday edged into the 2008 1st District congressional race as a fifth Democratic entrant.

Ethan Strimling is poised to run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who is challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the 2008 election.

Acknowledging the onset of political activity but stopping short of a full declaration of candidacy, Strimling released a list of members of an exploratory committee that included businessman Robert C.S. Monks and Leon Gorman, chairman of L.L. Bean.

“As the sponsor of a resolution in the Maine Senate opposing U.S. entry into the war four years ago, I am even more convinced today that the war in Iraq is the most serious military and foreign policy blunder in our nation’s history. … Enough is enough. It’s time to end our involvement in Iraq and bring the troops home,” Strimling said in a statement distributed to coincide with a campaign event in Portland.

Strimling said other key issues are energy and raising incomes.

Other Democrats who have announced their candidacies include York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence, former state Senate leaders Chellie Pingree and Michael Brennan, and Portland lawyer Adam Cote.

Pingree, who stepped down earlier this year as national president of Common Cause, unsuccessfully challenged Collins for the Senate in 2002. Lawrence was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000, losing to Republican incumbent Olympia Snowe.

Republicans eyed as potential candidates include Small Business Administration regional chief Charles Summers and Steve Abbott, Collins’ chief of staff.

According to a March announcement, Summers, a former congressional candidate in Maine, has been recalled to active duty by the U.S. Navy.

Among other Republicans mentioned are former state Sen. Phil Harriman of Yarmouth, who has co-hosted a radio talk show with Strimling, and businessman Dean Scontras of Eliot.