AUGUSTA – Children’s advocates and office-seekers hoping for their support gathered at the Maine State House on Wednesday to join a national call for more focus on children’s issues in the 2008 election campaign.

About 100 people, including a host of legislative candidates, turned out on the front steps of the Capitol for the event, sponsored by the Every Child Matters education fund.

Organizers said that in 2007 the state of Maine received more than 19,000 reports of alleged abuse or neglect, and that 20 percent of Maine children live in poverty.

Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe, who led off the speakers, said the goal of the event was to “raise awareness about the needs of our children … health, safety, education.”

The State House rally coincided with a popular Bug Maine-ia event at the nearby Maine State Museum, which draws visiting students and teachers.