ABBOTT FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES NEW MEDIA TEAM

Steve Abbott assembles group of veteran Maine New Media Pioneers

February 5, 2010 - The Steve Abbott for Governor campaign is proud to announce its New Media Team: Lance Dutson, Mark J. Ellis, and Scott K Fish.

"The web has changed the way we communicate with each other. New technologies have opened up lines of communications between candidates and voters that never existed before, and I think it's critical to make the most of this opportunity for a deeper dialog with the people of Maine," said Steve Abbott, Republican candidate for Maine governor.

"I am proud to have on my team three Maine pioneers, three people who saw the great potential of the internet in Maine early on, and who continue to break new media ground to this day. "

Lance Dutson served last year as New Media Director for U.S. Senator Susan Collins. He was also Director of Internet Strategy for Collins' 2008 re-election campaign. Mr. Dutson received the Maine Software Developers' Association 'Best of the Web' Award for the Collins for Senator web site.

Dutson ran the political blog 'Maine Web Report,' and was recognized nationally for his investigative reporting on Maine state government. Lance broke ground in 2007 when he became one of the original bloggers credentialed as press to cover the US v. Libby trial in DC Federal Court. He has been published in the Bangor Daily News, Portland Press Herald, and was featured on Fox News, NECN, and local television and radio programs.

Mark J. Ellis, Abbott for Governor Political Director, is the former two-time chairman of the Maine Republican Party. Mr. Ellis most recently served as Director of Information Technology for Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C., where he led a team of computer, network, and software experts. He has worked in information technology for 30 years with companies such as Fisher Engineering, Forster Manufacturing Inc., Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp., and Digital Equipment Corp. (now Hewlett-Packard).

Ellis is founding webmaster of MaineGOP.com and designed and maintained the very first website for a statewide race in Maine: Susan Collins' 1996 winning U.S. Senate campaign. Ellis was also county and eCampaign chairman for Dick Campbell, Ross Connolly, Jane Amero, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Charlie Summers, and Jim Longley. In 2004, Ellis served on the Bush-Cheney '04 Maine Steering Committee as the eCampaign Chairman.

Scott K Fish is perhaps best known in Maine as owner/editor of the State's premier political web site, AsMaineGoes.com, online since 1998. From 1989-2000 Scott worked in the Maine State House as a communications staffer for the Senate and House Republicans. In 1992 he served as communications director for then-U.S. Representative Olympia Snowe's re-election campaign.

Scott has been active for over 20 years writing guest columns for many Maine newspapers. He has been a featured guest expert on internet and political issues on Maine talk radio and television shows, and also produced and co-hosted the "Fish and Plowman" show on WVOM in 1998. Mr. Fish is in his sixth year writing the monthly Soapbox Derby political column for Bangor Metro magazine.

Speaking on behalf of the Abbott for Governor New Media Team, Mr. Ellis said, "I've worked with Steve Abbott for 16 years, and have always been impressed by his ability to recognize and utilize the power of technology. In all the political and public service endeavors in which Steve has been a leader, he has shown a consistent ability to adopt the right tools to enhance communication and strengthen relationships. This campaign will be no exception."