Democrats win 3 of 5 legislative elections

AUGUSTA – Maine Democrats increased their majority in the state House of Representatives by one on Election Day, as they won three out of five contests to fill vacancies resulting from resignations and deaths.

The results brought the Democratic numerical roster to 90 in the 151-seat House, leaving Republicans with 59. There are two House independents.

“It’s been more than 10 years since a single political party held 90 seats in the Maine House of Representatives,” said House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland. “We’re very proud of all of our candidates. They all worked extremely hard and were dedicated to their campaigns.”

Maine Republican Party Executive Director Julie O’Brien said the outcome should serve as “a wake-up call” for Republicans.

According to unofficial returns, Democrat Mike Carey defeated Republican David Hughes in District 72, which includes part of Democratic-leaning Lewiston.

In District 83, which includes Belgrade and Vienna, Democrat Patricia Jones of Mount Vernon beat Republican Clyde Dyar, also of Mount Vernon, and Democrat Sheryl Briggs of Mexico beat Republican Katherine Harvey of Dixfield in District 93, which includes Canton, Carthage and Peru, unofficial returns show.

Briggs’ victory in the district previously represented by Republican Randy Hotham of Dixfield gave Democrats their Election Day pick-up.

Jones will succeed her late husband.

Maintaining a GOP hold on two seats, Republican Ralph Sarty Jr. beat Democrat Kate Smith in District 99, which includes Baldwin, Cornish and Sebago, and Republican Peter Johnson of Greenville won a three-way race in District 27, which includes the towns of Brownville and Monson.

The District 27 vacancy was left by the death of Republican Rep. Earl Richardson of Greenville.

The five special elections resulted from three resignations and two deaths. Three of the seats had been held by Republicans, two by Democrats.

“We’re all excited for Mike, Pat and Sheryl to join our caucus,” House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, said in a statement. “They all generated a lot of energy in their districts during this campaign, met constituents and heard their concerns. They will all make fantastic legislators, and I’m looking forward to getting down to work with all of them in January.”

O’Brien said the Republican loss in District 93 occurred in an area favorable for Democrats and where Hotham’s success as a GOP candidate had been “kind of an anomaly.”

More generally, she said, “Democrats do very, very well at mobilizing volunteers, getting out the vote. … To be honest, Republicans need to take a lesson from that.”

In November 2006, statewide voters put 88 Democrats and 61 Republicans in the House, along with two independents.

The partisan makeup of the chamber changed to 89-60 after Republican Rep. Abigail Holman of Fayette died in a skiing accident in April and was succeeded by Democrat Deane Jones of Mount Vernon, who died in September.

Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene in January for the 2008 regular legislative session.

Statewide, a legislative initiative to ease restrictions on consecutive service in office by members of the House and Senate was overwhelmingly rejected by voters.

Question 5 to extend term limits lost by 2-1.

The failed proposal would have extended Maine’s present four-term limit to six terms – or from eight consecutive years to 12.

Modern term limits first took effect in 1996, in Maine and in California, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.