Legislative primary results set the stage for November. Here’s how they turned out.

Maine voters on Tuesday chose candidates in more than two dozen legislative primaries across the state, setting the stage for November’s general election, as Democrats and Republicans wrestle for control of the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.

Democrats have held a trifecta in state government since Gov. Janet Mills began her tenure in 2019, but the party’s majorities in both chambers have narrowed. In 2024, Maine Democrats bucked national trends of Republicans gaining control of state legislatures, however the GOP flipped seats in each chamber. 

Currently, the Maine Senate has 20 Democrats, 14 Republicans and one independent, after Sen. Rick Bennett unenrolled from the GOP last year ahead of his independent bid for governor. In the Maine House, the Democratic majority is narrower, with 75 Democrats, 72 Republicans, one independent and two unenrolled (plus two tribal representatives).

In addition to the primaries, there was a special election Tuesday in Maine House District 29, to replace Rep. Kathy Javner (R-Chester), who died in January. The Portland Press Herald called the race for Republican Nancy Theriault, who had 51% of the votes cast, over Democrat Nancy McDowell. 

On the Democratic side, Shanna Cox defeated Rep. Mana Abdi in Senate District 21. The Bangor Daily News/Decision Desk HQ called the race for Cox, reporting that she secured 56.6% of votes. 

The seat is currently held by Sen. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston, who chairs the Legislature’s budget committee and is terming out this year after nearly two decades of service.

Cox, who stepped down as president and chief executive officer of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to run for office, was backed by Rotundo in the primary election. 

Ahead of the primary, Cox said if elected she aims to follow in Rotundo’s footsteps, by focusing on results and staying present in the community, “even and especially when it means working with people who are different than you.”

In Senate District 30, Rep. Sophie Warren of Scarborough has edged out Democratic colleague Rep. Ellie Sato of Gorham. The Bangor Daily News/ Decision Desk HQ called the race for Warren, with 50.2% of the votes — a lead of less than 30 votes over Sato. 

Sato said in a statement Wednesday that she will be asking for a recount. 

“I have complete confidence in our election process, and am grateful to the municipal staff, election clerks and election volunteers who uphold our democracy,” Sato said. “With the margins so close in many towns, we want to be absolutely certain that every vote is counted and every voice is heard.”

Sen. Stacy Brenner currently represents the district, and had endorsed Sato, who is completing her first term in the Maine House. 

Warren, who is completing her third term in the House, was backed by local officials, including Scarborough Town Councilor Michelle Hayes. 

In House District 38, Swanville resident Kayla Miller defeated Jason Cherry, who had initially entered the race for governor. 

House District 43, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Ann Matlack, had both Democratic and Republican primaries. 

For the Democrats, Rhiannon Hampson beat out Peter Jenks. In November, Hampson will face Republican Christopher Austin, who defeated Michael Flanagan in the primary. 

Outgoing House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham prevailed in Senate District 6, which covers Washington County and a portion of the more populated Hancock County.

Faulkingham won over former Rep. Kenneth “Bucket” Davis, despite some state legislators from Washington County arguing the seat should be held by someone from that county, like Davis, rather than Faulkingham, who lives in Hancock County. 

And although Democratic Sen. Timothy Nangle currently represents District 26, it’s a potential flip for Republicans in the general election. Nangle will face Republican Kenneth Cianchette, after Cianchette won the primary over Peter Violette. 

Cianchette previously tried to oust Nangle in 2024 but lost by just four points, and positioned himself as a fighter in his primary campaign.

In a Aroostook County Republican primary, Sen. Susan Bernard defeated Jack McCarthy, in her move to represent House District 3. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Mark Babin of Fort Fairfield, who is terming out.

In the northwestern corner of the state, in House District 73, incumbent Rep. Michael Soboleski, who lost the 2024 GOP primary for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, held off a challenge from Ryan Morgan. 

Another incumbent Republican overcame a primary challenger: Rep. Will Tuell defeated Daniel Daley in House District 10. 

And although the Secretary of State’s Office said Thursday that Sato was the only candidate that has requested a recount, they have five days to make the request. 

Two races with narrow margins seem most likely for a recount: House Districts 49 and 135. 

In the Republican primary for House District 49, Decision Desk reported that Suzanne Andresen beat out Nicolas Hamlin, both of West Bath, by a vote of 609 to 601.

In the House District 135 Democratic primary, Lisa Pratt was declared the winner with 50.5% of votes over Rachel Phipps, who trailed by less than 30 votes. 

In addition, two Republican primaries may end up going to a ranked-choice run off. 

In the four-way GOP primary to replace term-limited Sen. Stacey Guerin in Senate District 4, Rep. Chad Perkins is in the lead with just 47.9% of votes by Thursday afternoon, with two municipalities not yet reporting. Guerin’s husband, Joseph Guerin, is in second, followed by Zachary Wood and Gregory Pierce.

A three-way race in House District 58 also appears to have no candidates reaching the 50% threshold for victory. 

Decision Desk reported Dexter Bridges Jr. in the lead with 38.4% of votes, followed by Lawrence Bessey and Jeffrey Harris. 

The district is currently represented by independent Rep. Sharon Frost, who votes with Democrats, but is another seat that could go to Republicans. Frost narrowly won in 2024, and the seat was previously held by a Republican. It has historically switched back and forth between the two major parties.