BANGOR – The presidential race is now visibly under way in downtown Bangor, where Republican candidate Ron Paul has opened a headquarters office at 91 Main St.

Amid red, white and blue balloons and signboards, the Paul campaign held an open house Monday night. About 50 people filled the small space and discussed the Texas state representative’s platform while perusing campaign brochures.

Bangor headquarters manager Sunny Clark, a 60-year-old precious metals broker from Belfast, will run the office with her 27-year-old son, Jesse Stewart, also of Belfast. They have recruited several volunteers, Clark said.

“We’re just trying to get people aware of Dr. Paul,” Clark said at the Monday celebration. “All are welcome to drop in.”

In his best showing yet, Paul, an obstetrician from Lake Jackson, Texas, placed second in Nevada’s GOP presidential caucuses Saturday. He has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997.

Paul’s campaign differs on many points from those of most of his Republican rivals. He opposes the Iraq war and the death penalty and votes against military appropriations. He also would like to abolish the Education Department, Energy Department and Internal Revenue Service. He is against gun control and abortion, but believes abortion should remain a state issue.

Steve Chatfield, a 63-year-old Bangor resident, said his belief in Paul has prompted him to get involved in a presidential campaign for the first time.

“I believe in a man who wants to go and bring our government back to constitutional values instead of running his office in a manner run by the corporate oligarchy,” Chatfield said.

Teisha Priest, 27, and her husband, Aaron, 32, of Lee brought their 2-month-old son, Camden, to the event. Camden’s stroller displayed a Ron Paul bumper sticker.

“I think he [Paul] represents the views of our founding fathers,” Aaron Priest said.

The Paul campaign opened a Portland office on Friday and plans to open another office in Lewiston on Wednesday, according to Ken Lindell, statewide coordinator for Paul’s campaign.

The Bangor office is expected to remain open until at least Feb. 4, the day after the Feb. 1-3 Republican caucuses in Maine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.