House seat win decided on 9 votes, recount likely

WINTERPORT – Former state Rep. Joe Brooks eked out a narrow win Tuesday over fellow Winterport resident Donna Gilbert in the Democratic primary for House District 42.

According to unofficial results from the district’s six towns, Brooks polled 224 votes to 215 for Gilbert.

The nine-vote margin means that a recount is likely.

Brooks took Winterport by a vote of 123-116, won the town of Brooks by a vote of 27-12, Monroe by a vote of 28-25 and Jackson by a vote of 12-4. Gilbert won the town of Waldo by a vote of 18-7 and Swanville by a vote of 40-27.

House District 42 comprises Monroe, Jackson, Swanville, Waldo, Brooks and Waldo County’s second-largest community, Winterport. The winner of the Democratic nomination will face off against two-term incumbent Jeff Kaelin, R-Winterport, in November.

Brooks represented the district in the Legislature from 1996 to 2002. He gave up his seat to run for Senate District 23 and was defeated by Carol Weston, R-Montville. Two years ago, Brooks squared off against Kaelin and lost in a recount by four votes. Throughout the campaign, he stressed his experience and knowledge of Augusta as reasons for his nomination.

“I think the Legislature in the coming year is going to run into some very thorny issues that someone with experience can lend a great deal of background to,” Brooks said. “Health care and tax reform are major issues and having experience with both of those issues is going to be critically important to solving those problems.”

Gilbert, a retired educator, was making her first run at a legislative office. She has served on Winterport Charter Commission and budget committee and was a founding member of the Cove Brook Watershed Council.

She also has stressed her experience with public affairs.

“I have a lot of skills and experience and I know I can make a difference,” she said.