Recounts begin today in close state House races

AUGUSTA – Maine election officials have scheduled 13 recounts starting today in disputed elections for state House of Representatives seats.

More recounts could be added, officials in the Secretary of State’s office said Monday. Also requested is a recount of votes in the Knox County commissioner election.

Today’s recounts are in House Districts 127 and 128, both of which cover the Scarborough area. In District 127, Republican John McDonough was the apparent Election Day winner over Democrat Shawn Babine.

In the District 128 race, Democrat Peggy Pendleton was the apparent winner over Republican Sylvia Most and the Green Independent Party’s Leo Tallarico.

The other recounts are in Districts 44, 39, 81, 43, 94, 7, 20, 91, 55, 32 and 102.

Unofficial Election Day tabulations gave the Democrats 89 seats over the Republicans’ 60 in the House of Representatives. Two independents were also elected.

There are no recounts scheduled or requested in races for the Senate, where Democrats ended up with an 18-17 edge.

On the Net: Secretary of State, candidates list: www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2006/cangen06.txt