City piece on four prominent Portland-area Republicans who tried unsuccessfull

City piece on four prominent Portland-area Republicans who tried unsuccessfully to squelch their party\u27s attempt to field a candidate for the state Senate seat vacated by the late Joel Abromson. According to party insiders, Ken Cole and Jan Staples, both members of the Republican National Committee, and Portland city councilors Cheryl Leeman and Jay Hibbard tried to get the GOP to support independent candidate Jack Dawson, also a Portland city councilor. Republicans have since nominated Sally Vamvakias of Falmouth and a special election is scheduled for March 5