PORTLAND – Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean arrived Thursday in Maine for a series of events including a rally, voter canvasses and registration drives in advance of the fall election.

The former Vermont governor and contender for his party’s 2004 presidential nomination started his visit with a rally attended by 100 people in Longfellow Square in Portland. Also attending were 1st Congressional District candidate Chellie Pingree, House Speaker Glenn Cummings and state Sen. Phil Bartlett.

Today, Dean will be in Waterville to kick off a registration drive with Democratic supporters and will meet with local business leaders.

Later, Dean heads to Lewiston’s Kennedy Park to launch a voter registration drive with Democratic supporters before traveling to New Hampshire.