GOP hopefuls announce runs for state House, Senate

BANGOR – Several Republicans including some incumbents from the Penobscot County area announced their bids for seats in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives during Saturday’s “Super Caucus” at Husson College.

These Republicans announced bids for Senate seats:

. Incumbent Sen. Richard Rosen of Bucksport, who is seeking re-election to his District 31 seat, which encompasses Bradley, Brewer, Burlington, Clifton, East Central Penobscot Township, Eddington, Holden, Lowell, Milford and Orrington in Penobscot County, and Amherst, Aurora, Bucksport, Castine, Dedham, Mariaville, Northwest Hancock Township, Orland, Otis, Penobscot and Verona Island in Hancock County.

. W. Tom Sawyer Jr. of Bangor, a former state senator seeking to unseat incumbent Sen. Joseph Perry, a Democrat also from Bangor, whose District 32 seat covers Bangor and Hermon.

. Incumbent Sen. Debra Plowman of Hampden, who is running for re-election to her District 33 seat, representing Carmel, Charleston, Corinna, Corinth, Dexter, Dixmont, Etna, Exeter, Garland, Hampden, Kenduskeag, Levant, Newburgh, Newport, Plymouth and Stetson, all of which are in Penobscot County.

. Valerie Winocour of Old Town is seeking the District 30 seat now held by Sen. Elizabeth Schneider, a Democrat from Orono. The seat covers the Penobscot County communities of Alton, Argyle Township, Bradford, Edinburg, Enfield, Greenbush, Howland, Hudson, Kingman Township, LaGrange, Lee, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Maxfield, Old Town, Orono, Passadumkeag, Indian Island, Springfield, Twombly, Veazie, Webster Plantation and Winn.

These Republicans are running for House seats:

. John Cashwell of Bangor, who announced his bid for the District 17 seat now held by Rep. Sean Faircloth, a Bangor Democrat. The district covers part of Bangor.

. Michael Celli of Brewer, who announced his bid for District 21 now held by Rep. Charles “Dusty” Fisher, also of Brewer. The district covers part of Brewer.

. Andre Cushing of Hampden is seeking the District 39 seat from Dixmont, Hampden and Newburgh. The seat currently is held by Rep. Brian Duprey, R-Hampden.

. Julio DeSanctis of Old Town, who is seeking to unseat Rep. Richard Blanchard, a Democrat from Old Town, whose District 14 post encompasses Old Town and Indian Island.

. Rep. David Richardson of Carmel, who is seeking re-election to his District 23 seat that represents Carmel, Etna, Hermon and Stetson.