One Democrat behind after primary elections

AUGUSTA – Primary election day left a single Democratic House incumbent trailing in his bid for another term, while two other House Democrats advanced in their efforts to move to the Maine Senate.

Candidates and election officials scrambled to tote up final tallies Wednesday. Some discussions focused on taking another look at the numbers.

“We’ve gotten a few calls about potential recounts,” said Julie Flynn, deputy secretary of state, who added that the deadline for such requests would be June 15.

For some Democratic and Republican comeback hopefuls in House and Senate races, voters were once again welcoming.

Former Rep. Herbert Clark of Millinocket was listed on an unofficial House of Representatives tally sheet as the apparent winner in his Democratic primary contest with Rep. Guy Duprey of Medway in House District 10.

Also claiming apparent House primary victories Tuesday were former legislators David Bustin, a Democrat from Hallowell, in House District 79 and Stedman Seavey, a Republican from Kennebunkport, in House District 137.

In Senate primaries, former lawmakers John Nutting of Leeds, a Democrat, and Debra Plowman of Hampden, a Republican, won or led their races, according to unofficial tabulations.

Nutting appeared to have easily bested fellow Democrat Edward Madden in Senate District 17; Plowman was leading a three-way contest in Senate District 33.

Meanwhile, Democratic Reps. Nancy Sullivan of Biddeford and Joseph Perry of Bangor won Senate primaries over Democratic opponents, unofficial returns showed.

The lone senator facing a primary challenge, Democrat Margaret Rotundo of Lewiston, handily fended off Paul Madore of Lewiston.

Unofficial returns showed Republican Senate hopeful Leslie Fossel of Alna losing narrowly to GOP rival Dana Dow of Waldoboro in a Senate District 20 primary matchup.

Two years ago, Fossel’s general election Senate bid was stymied by Democrat Christopher Hall of Bristol. The election outcome was formally disputed until Jan. 9, 2003, more than two months after the voting, when the Maine Senate declared Hall the duly elected winner by a vote of 24-11.

Hall’s seating gave Democrats the 18-17 majority that they have enjoyed through the current legislative session.

Six Republicans joined all 18 Democrats, including Hall, to carry the vote.

Recent state Senate elections have highlighted intense campaign competition between Democrats and Republicans.

Senate contests four years ago resulted in a 17-17 partisan split, with one seat going to an independent.

Tuesday’s elections were the first in new House and Senate districts that were redrawn last year to reflect statewide population shifts over a decade.

Tuesday’s ballots featured seven Democratic Senate primaries and three Republican Senate contests. Another Republican Senate election involved a write-in candidate.

On the House side, there were a dozen Democratic contests and 13 contested Republican primaries. House District 120 in Portland had a Green primary in which unofficial returns showed Pamela Cragin defeating Elke Rosenberg 39-7.