The state flag of Maine flies outside the State House in Augusta. (Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star)
Democrats are poised to maintain their power triangle between the governor’s office and both chambers in Maine’s 132nd Legislature.
Each race has not yet been called by The Associated Press, but enough to confirm Democratic control of the Maine Senate.
The Maine House Democratic Campaign Committee said Thursday morning that it is still waiting for one race to be called to confirm a majority in the House. Results collected by the House committee and its counterpart in the Senate show a majority of at least 76 to 72 seats in the House and a majority of 20 to 13 seats in the Senate.
If these results confirm, even with some possible recounts, it means Democrats in Maine have been successful This election cycle has bucked a national trend of Republicans gaining control of the state legislature.
“Mainers have spoken, they have voted to elect educators, health care workers, small business owners and parents – and have built a majority in the state House and Senate that is truly representative of the people of our great state,” said Bev Uhlenhake, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. in a statement Wednesday evening.
“I am proud to congratulate them on their success, and I know they will fight in the Legislature to put Maine’s families, freedoms and future first.”
Even though Democrats will retain the control they have had since 2018, Republicans have managed to make progress by flipping districts in both chambers and even dethroning some incumbents.
In the House of Representatives, for example, 76 seats is the minimum needed to maintain a majority, so Democrats will have a razor-thin margin heading into the next session. However, depending on the outcome of House District 141, they could end up with 77 members. Two independent members will also sit in that chamber.
The Democrats retain (possibly more limited) control of the Senate
Every incumbent in the Maine Senate – more than two-thirds of the members – was re-elected, allowing Democrats to retain their majority. However, that could be narrower than the previous session as they lost some open seats. The final margin will be determined by the races waiting to be called.
Republican Susan Bernard won the open District 1 seat in Aroostook County, which was held by outgoing Democratic Senate President Troy Jackson. And Republican Scott Cyrway flipped the open seat in District 16 red.
Republicans were also successful in defending a few open seats that Democrats targeted.
The Androscoggin County District 20 seat vacated by Eric Brakey remains red as Bruce Bickford emerged victorious over former state Rep. Bettyann Sheats. Although the AP has not yet mentioned it, Republican Dick Bradstreet, who is seeking to move from the Maine House to the Senate, has a lead over Democratic state Rep. Raegan LaRochelle for District 15 in Kennebec County.
Controlling the House, with the razor’s edge
The Maine House incumbents did not have the same perfect record as they did in the Senate.
Of the six incumbents that lost their re-election bids, Republicans won four of those seats, turning Districts 13, 17, 24 and 107 red. Democrats were only successful in unseating Edward Polewarczyk, the Republican incumbent in District 47.
However, the one race still in question includes the Republican incumbent Luke Laniganwho was charged with domestic violence and aggravated assault days before the election. As of noon Thursday, Lanigan trailed Democrat Patricia Kidder 49% to 51%, with more than 95% of votes counted.
Republican Quentin Chapman also threw away an open seat in District 88.
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