AUGUSTA – The Maine Democratic Party is ousting two members of its executive committee for supporting an independent candidate for U.S. Senate instead of the party’s nominee, Rep. Tom Allen.

Lu Bauer of Brunswick and David Bright of Dixmont have been ejected from their posts for supporting Herbert Hoffman, a former Democrat and now independent. Bright told Maine Public Radio he’s surprised, but acknowledges he served at the pleasure of the state committee.

Democratic Executive Director Arden Manning says there were some issues about Bright’s allegiance to Hoffman while Bright was sitting in on meetings in which party strategy might be discussed.

The party action comes in advance of a Maine Supreme Judicial Court decision Monday relating to the Senate race. A Superior Court judge blocked the Democrats from having Hoffman’s name removed from the November ballot, and the party appealed.