WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree has filed the petition signatures needed to be on the ballot as she seeks a third term in the 1st Congressional District, her campaign said today.

The Maine Secretary of State’s Office said that Pingree is the first candidate in the 1st District to file signatures. But among those also expected to file by the Thursday deadline is Republican Jon Courtney of Springvale, Maine Senate Majority Leader.

Pingree’s campaign said in a release that she submitted petitions containing 1,500 signatures, the most allowed by law. U.S. House candidates must turn in at least 1,000 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Pingree considered running for the U.S. Senate after GOP Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine announced she would not seek a fourth term. But Pingree bowed out of a Senate bid last week, after former Independent Gov. Angus King said he would run as an independent.

Pingree is married to S. Donald Sussman, a frequent Democratic donor, who is buying a 5 percent equity stake in MaineToday Media, which owns The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, the Morning Sentinel in Waterville and other media outlets.

Pingree was first elected to Congress in 2008.

Rep. Mike Michaud, R-2nd District, who considered a Senate bid, has filed to run again in the 2nd Congressional District. Republican Kevin Raye, Maine Senate president, also has filed signatures to run in the 2nd District, as has Republican Blaine Richardson of Belfast, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

MaineToday Media Washington Bureau Chief Jonathan Riskind can be contacted at 791-6280 or at:

jriskind@mainetoday.com

Twitter: Twitter.com/MaineTodayDC