District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau squeaked through re-election Tuesday, winning another four-year term as top prosecutor in Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

“It was a long night,” Rushlau said Wednesday. “I’m certainly happy and gratified by the results.”

Rushlau, 53, defeated Belfast attorney Joe Baiungo.

The Republican incumbent likened the contest to a long, difficult trial in that he always looks back to see what he could have done better. And, he said Wednesday, he learned: “I need to be more visible and more of a face of the office rather than just a trial attorney and administrator.”

Rushlau captured nearly 52 percent of the vote to Baiungo’s roughly 48 percent. In total numbers, Rushlau had 31,960 votes to Baiungo’s 29,832 votes, a 2,128 vote difference.

In the four 6th District counties, Rushlau faired well in Sagadahoc County, where he lives in Dresden, and Lincoln County. On the other hand, Baiungo took most of the votes in Knox and Waldo counties. He lives in Belfast, part of Waldo County.

Baiungo, an independent, ran a high-profile campaign, peppering the midcoast with large political signs showing an almost life-size image of himself that drew much attention. He criticized the incumbent for not involving the public more in the justice system.

Rushlau ran on his 26 years of experience as a prosecutor as an assistant district attorney and 13 years as district attorney, saying he wanted to continue in the job because it involves helping people.

Baiungo could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

Last month, Rushlau was elected president of the Maine Prosecutors Association.

He has been district attorney for Knox, Waldo, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties since 1993 and previously worked as an assistant district attorney for 10 years in Sagadahoc County and three years in Androscoggin County.