LEWISTON, Maine (AP)   As much as Maine Democrats are eager to move past the era of Republican Gov. Paul LePage, they know trashing him is not the way to win an election.

The Maine Democratic State Convention starts on Friday. Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett says the convention is going to be about “offering a forward-looking message,” as opposed to celebrating the end of the LePage era.

The Democrats will try to sort through a crowded field to replace the term-limited LePage, and focus on winning back the state Senate and 2nd Congressional District seat held by Republican Bruce Poliquin.

The Democrats are holding their convention in Lewiston. It runs through Sunday.