AUGUSTA -- Groups that work on children's issues will gather on the Statehouse steps at 10 a.m. Wednesday to urge the presidential candidates and the news media to focus on the needs of Maine's children.

Part of national Step Up for Kids Day, the gathering will feature Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe, Maine Development Foundation President Laurie Lachance and Dr. Chris Stenberg of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Also, youth speaker Amy Princiotta is scheduled to speak.

The groups, citing statistics that show 20 percent of Maine children live in poverty, say these issues are receiving little attention in the presidential race.