LEWISTON, Maine (AP) _ Some of the Democrats seeking the opportunity to replace Maine’s bombastic Republican governor couldn’t resist teeing off on him at the Maine Democratic Party convention.

The audience at the Lewiston Colisee roared Saturday when former House Speaker Mark Eves joked that he could put his skills as a family therapist to work in Augusta after eight years of Gov. Paul LePage, who is term-limited and can’t seek re-election.

Seven candidates are seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Six of them addressed the crowd in person and one spoke by via video.

History will be made regardless of who wins on June 12 because Maine will become the first state to use a ranked-choice system in a statewide primary election.