PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Republicans and Democrats in Maine both say the fight over the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has lit a fire under the voter base in advance of next month's elections.

Maine's Republican Sen. Susan Collins cast a vote in support of Kavanaugh that was critical to his ascension to the high court. The two parties say the hard fight has energized members about a Nov. 6 midterm in which the governor's office and control of the Legislature are up for grabs.

The Portland Press Herald reports Republican Maine Senate candidate Matt Stone says the fight has "single-handedly united the Republican Party." But Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett says Democrats know "what is at stake in this election," such as protecting abortion rights at the state level.