(NEWS CENTER) -- Maine Republicans start gathering for the state convention on Friday, and insiders say the event will be critical for their six candidates for the U.S. Senate.

The Senate candidates all answered questions at aand forum in Brunswick Wednesday night. It's the latest in a series of forums around the state, but so far in the campaign those have been about the only chances for the average Republican to see hear the candidates.

But that may all change after the convention.

Party leaders say after the candidates make their speeches on Sunday, the campaigns will all become far more visible. That means there's a lot at stake for them this weekend.

Maine Republicans start gathering for the state convention tomorrow, and insiders say the event will be critical for their six candidates for the U.S. Senate.

The Senate candidates all answered questions at a forum in Brunswick last night. it's the latest in a series of forums around the state, but so far in the campaign those have been about the only chances for the average Republican to see and hear the candidates. But that may all change after the convention. Party leaders say after the candidates make their speeches on Sunday, the campaigns will all become far more visible. That means there's a lot at stake for them this weekend.

"All factions and parts of the party are going to be here," said Michael Quatrano of the Maine Republican Party. "It's going to be very important what these guys say to the convention."

"To the average person in the coffee shop probably doesn't know who all these candidates are," said NEWS CENTER Republican Analyst Phil Harriman. "But the candidates know who the republicans are in this state and trust me they're trying to find ways to touch them."

Harriman says the convention speeches this weekend may not win the election for any of the candidates. But he says a poor performance on Sunday could lose the election.

NEWS CENTER