BIDDEFORD — Although state residents in November voted down a racino in Biddeford, the fight might not be over.

New Hampshire-based Ocean Properties, Ltd., one of the backers of the proposed Biddeford Downs, has contributed to a political action committee that’s backing local state legislative candidates who supported their proposal.

“The PAC was set up in support of the legislators that supported us in our efforts,” said Ocean Properties spokesman Peter Connell.

According to a campaign finance report filed May 31, 318 T Street in Portsmouth, at the same address as Ocean Properties, has made the only donation, of $25,000, to the Race for ME PAC. Connell acknowledged the money came from the racino proponent.

Nearly $12,000 was spent by the PAC on that same day to a political consulting firm, Superior Strategies in Roanoke, Va.; and $1,500 to Mainely Media in Biddeford, which publishes the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier.

The PAC is supporting the campaigns of: Sen. Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, running against Rep. Alan Casavant, D-Biddeford, for House District 137; Biddeford resident Joanne Twomey against Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, for House District 135; and Rep. Don Pilon, D-Saco, against Rep. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, for Senate District 5.

Opponents of those being backed by the PAC are crying foul.

They contend that the influx of out-of-state money at this late date into the primary races is dirty politics.

Both Casavant and Valentino said they are out of funds and can’t compete with this new money that is being used to support their competitors.

“I’m not happy and rather saddened,” said Casavant, that Maine has come to the point that out-of-state money is being used in these races. “It’s a sad side of politics.”

This much money has never been used at the local level, said Valentino.

She also said she fears that the ads and flyers being developed with the PAC money will be used to distort the facts.

“Never thought I would see the day,” said Chris O’Neil, a spokesman for the anti-gambling group Mainers Against a Rotten Deal. “Out-of-state business interests spending big money in local legislative races. In a primary, no less.”

Twomey said she knew nothing about the PAC that is said to support her campaign until she received calls from reporters on Tuesday.

Twomey said she hasn’t received money from the PAC, and she is financing her campaign with Maine Clean Elections funds.

“I’ve never taken anything, not one penny” in any of her races, said Twomey. “I’m not for sale.”

Sullivan and Pilon could not be reached for comment by press time.

Under Maine law, such contributions must be “independent expenditures” and “supported” candidates cannot know about the free advertisements donated to them, according to a statement from Mainers Against a Rotten Deal.

The candidates being supported by the PAC ”“ Sullivan, Pilon and Twomey ”“ favored legislation that would have allowed the proposed Biddeford Downs, a combination harness racing track, slot machine, entertainment complex with an accompanying hotel, to be built without going to state referendum.

Sullivan and Pilon voted for the measure in the Legislature last year while Twomey, who was Biddeford’s mayor at the time, championed it locally.

Beaudoin, Valentino and Casavant voted in the Legislature to send the question to the voters, who voted down the proposed racino in November.

But the state referendum isn’t the end of the story for Biddeford Downs, said Connell. A Blue Ribbon Commission that will study how to proceed with gambling in Maine will be appointed later this year. Ocean Properties hopes to get a seat on that commission, he said, and the company still hopes to build Biddeford Downs.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.