PORTLAND — An organization launched by activists including U2 singer Bono to fight poverty and disease around the world is taking an interest in the U.S. Senate race in Maine.

The ONE Campaign kicks off its One Vote 2012 on Tuesday with an event at the Maine Historical Society.

Mike Salamon, East Coast field organizer, said the nonpartisan organization with more than 8,100 members in Maine, is reaching out to Democrat Cynthia Dill, Republican Charlie Summers and independent Angus King.

He says One Vote 2012 is targeting Maine because of the soon-to-be empty Senate seat. He says the organization doesn’t endorse candidates but wants to educate them about the foreign policy importance of fighting extreme poverty and preventable diseases in Third World countries.