State Sen. Ethan Strimling (D) hopes a little star power will help him outshine his opponents in the highly competitive race to replace Rep. Tom Allen (D).

According to The Associated Press, Strimling has scheduled a June 24 fundraiser for his Congressional exploratory committee that will be headlined by actor Matt Servitto, who plays FBI agent Dwight Harris on “The Sopranos.”

Strimling and Servitto were college classmates, and the fundraiser, at Anthony’s Italian Kitchen in Portland, will feature autographs of “The Sopranos” cast members and other memorabilia from the show as door prizes.

Strimling is one of several Democrats eyeing the seat that Allen is vacating to run for Senate. Other contenders include former state Senate Majority Leader Michael Brennan, attorney and Iraq War veteran Adam Cote, York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence and former Common Cause President Chellie Pingree.

Republicans also are expected to put up a strong candidate, though the district leans Democratic.

— Josh Kurtz