Legislative incumbents garner mixed response

AUGUSTA – The lone House of Representatives incumbent facing a contested primary election lost, and the lone Senate incumbent with a primary opponent won in Tuesday’s voting to nominate legislative candidates for the November ballot, according to unofficial tallies.

A list of apparent winners compiled by the House clerk’s office Wednesday had challenger Charles Ken Theriault of Madawaska defeating state Rep. Rosaire Paradis of Frenchville in the House District 2 Democratic primary.

An unofficial list compiled by the Senate secretary’s office pegged state Sen. Nancy Sullivan of Biddeford as the winner in her Senate District 4 Democratic primary election over state Rep. Joanne Twomey of Biddeford.

In another closely watched Democratic Senate contest, Gardiner Mayor Brian Rines beat former state Rep. Harvey DeVane of Gardiner in Senate District 21, according to unofficial tallies, setting up a November showdown with Republican state Rep. Earle McCormick of West Gardiner, who was unopposed for the GOP Senate nomination.

In a House Republican District 83 matchup, former McKernan administration official Abigail Holman of Fayette defeated Penelope Morrell of Belgrade, according to unofficial returns.

Apparent Republican nominees who succeeded in contested races included John Simpson of Bangor in House District 18, Dean Cray of Palmyra in House District 28 and George Thomson of Litchfield in House District 80.

Also racking up wins on the GOP side, unofficial tabulations indicated, were Brian Bicknell of Yarmouth in House District 107, David Savage of Falmouth in House District 112, Jennifer Duddy of Cape Elizabeth in House District 121 and Sylvia Perreault of Arundel in House District 140.

In Wells, House District 147 had contested Democratic and Republican primaries.

Kathleen Chase defeated James Spiller in the GOP race, according to unofficial returns, and Anthony Cilluffo topped Harry Tomah on the Democratic side.

Winning Democrats, according to unofficial returns, included Pamela Trinward of Waterville in House District 77, Ted Susi of Norridgewock in House District 86 and Paulette Beaudoin of Biddeford in House District 135.

Other apparent Democratic victors included former House member Joe Brooks of Winterport in House District 42, Jane Scease of Topsham in House District 60, Jill Conover of Oakland in House District 78 and Alan Casavant of Biddeford in House District 137.

In the House, Democrats now hold a 74-73 edge over the GOP. The House also has one Green party member and three independents.

The numbers are also close in the Senate, where Democrats have a 19-16 majority over Republicans.