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There was only one poll of the U.S. Senate primary races, (from the Maine People's Resource Center, which I had a hand in), so we don't have much of a detailed picture of how voter preferences changed over time in the two races.

Because the survey was taken at the end of March and beginning of April, however, right after the candidates were confirmed and the campaigns began, a comparison with the actual results on Election Day can give us some idea of what effect the candidates' campaigns had on the results.

Today primaries for both parties and for a variety of state and local offices promise to be both interesting in and of themselves and could also set some of the narrative for the next few months as we approach the General Election. Here are some things to watch for as these races come to a head.

Turnout: It is expected to be low statewide. Particularly high turnout in certain areas and for certain candidates could tell us something about where the current political energy exists.

Maine Treasurer Bruce Poliquin is brazen in the pursuit of his political goals.

Sometimes, this works out for him, such as when he pursued the legislature-appointed position of State Treasurer in a more public way than is usual for the position. He secured the endorsement of incoming Governor Paul LePage, organized his former gubernatorial campaign supporters to call their legislators in support of his appointment and won a narrow victory over former House Minority Leader David Bowles.