AUGUSTA – Gov.-elect John Baldacci met with leaders of the Maine House of Representatives on Thursday and said afterward he pledged to maintain an open door policy for ranking lawmakers once he assumes office.

Baldacci, a fourth-term Democratic congressman from Bangor who is to become governor on Jan. 8, also said he told them his job will be “putting the public interest before the political interest” and voiced confidence that House leaders felt the same.

“Now the elections are over, we pull together,” Baldacci said.

Two of the lawmakers who conferred with the incoming chief executive, House Republican floor leaders Joe Bruno and David Bowles, indicated they appreciated Baldacci’s visit and welcomed his approach.

“We had a great meeting,” said Bruno, R-Raymond, who recalled serving on the Legislature’s health policy committee with Baldacci when the congressman was a state senator. “I’m very encouraged. John and I go back a long time.”

The meetings with Baldacci came one day after the new Legislature convened and adjourned until next month’s inauguration day.

“He assured us we would have accessibility to him,” said Bowles, R-Sanford, adding that the GOP leaders were “pleased” to hear Baldacci speak of a desire for dialogue.

Baldacci will be the state’s first Democratic governor in 16 years and will be working with a Legislature that is at least provisionally controlled by Democrats.

In the 151-member House, Democrats outnumber Republicans by 80 to 67. There are also three independents and one Green party representative.

The 35-member Senate tilts Democratic 18-17.

A ballot review is pending in each chamber.

Baldacci served in a Democratic majority during six terms in Augusta and in a Democratic minority during his eight years in Washington.

Heading into the Blaine House, he said his focus is on enlisting allies from both major parties and that the meetings Thursday were meant in part to demonstrate that.

“In person,” Baldacci said as he left the House Republican leadership office. “I thought it was important.”

Bruno said the Republicans found things to like in Baldacci’s comments, including an interest in government reorganization and an inclination against higher taxes.

Additionally, Bruno said, his session with Baldacci covered lessons learned and worth keeping during independent Gov. Angus King’s tenure.