AUGUSTA — Voters in central Maine will be asked to decide 11 legislative primaries on Tuesday as the parties gear up for what promises to be a series of hard-fought races this fall that will determine control of the Legislature.
Republicans took control of both chambers two years ago for the first time in more than 30 years, a seismic shift that will now draw national attention to this year’s races, said Josh Tardy, a Republican and former House Minority Leader who now works as a lobbyist.
“The whole country is going to be looking to see if that was a one-time wonder or a systemic change in the state,” he said. “Both sides are out raising money. Now, I’m on the receiving end of the invitations.”
Democrats have tried to make the case for months that the state took a dramatic turn to the right under the Republican Legislature and Gov. Paul LePage.
Former state Sen. Ethan Strimling, D-Portland, said Democrats need to be careful that they don’t run too hard against LePage and fail to tell voters what they would accomplish for the state.
“For Democrats, this is really a moment of have we done the soul searching that we needed to do to understand why we lost,” he said. “We clearly didn’t connect well with people a couple of years ago.”
In the middle of the two parties are voters who often decide local legislative races in much the same way they vote for local town council or school committee. Votes are typically based on civic involvement and local popularity, rather than a sweeping party platform or national politics.
With the presidential race on the ballot, and gay marriage mobilizing conservatives and liberals on opposing sides of the issue, which party will control the Legislature is a toss-up. The elections to fill 186 seats — the 10th largest legislative body in the country — will draw money from outside the state and give political wonks plenty to pontificate about.
“You’re going to see excitement build up on both sides of this contest because of the presidential election,” Tardy said.
Coming up on Tuesday, voters will be asked to choose their nominees for the November election. Those who are registered in either party will be allowed to vote only in their party primary, while those who are unenrolled can join a party on Election Day so they can vote in that primary.
Despite hotly contested Republican and Democratic primaries for the U.S. Senate, election officials are predicting a low turnout.
Of the 11 local legislative races, three are wide open because of term limits. Statewide, there are about 40 legislative primaries that will be decided Tuesday.
Here’s a rundown of contested primaries in the area:
Senate races
• Senate District 20: Republican primary between Rep. Les Fossel, of Alna, and Stuart Smith of Edgecomb.
After serving four years in the House, Fossel, 65, is looking to move over to the Senate. A restoration contractor, Fossel describes himself as someone who seeks common ground and carries a heavy State House workload.
Smith, 49, a self-employed computer programmer and Edgecomb selectman, said he’s running to the right of Fossel, and will be a voice for small business and low property taxes.
The winner faces Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville. Local towns in the district include: Hibberts Gore, Jefferson, Somerville, Whitefield, Washington and Windsor.
• Senate District 21: Democratic primary between David Bustin of Hallowell and Priscilla Jenkins of Winthrop.
Bustin, 73, is a former state lawmaker and former Hallowell mayor who says he’s got the right combination of local and state experience to make a difference in the state Senate.
Jenkins, 68, a substitute teacher and Winthrop selectwoman, said she’s concerned about recent state budget cuts to social programs and retiree benefits.
The winner faces Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner. The district covers: Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, West Gardiner and Winthrop.
• Senate District 25: Democratic primary featuring newcomers Dana Hernandez of Waterville and Colleen Lachowicz of Waterville.
Hernandez, 37, an editor, says she believes the key to creating jobs is to invest in new technology and green jobs, and to reduce energy costs and the cost of living.
Lachowicz, 48, is a social worker who said she wants to help local people start and grow their own businesses.
The winner faces Sen. Thomas H. Martin Jr., R-Benton. Local towns in the district include Albion, Benton, Clinton, Unity Township, Waterville, Winslow, Detroit and Pittsfield.
House races
• House 29: Republican primary with John Ring of Pittsfield facing Robert Engelhardt of Pittsfield.
This open seat is held by Rep. Stacey Allen Fitts, R-Pittsfield, who can’t run again because of term limits.
Ring, 71, is a former Pittsfield Town Council member and former Baptist preacher who is in favor of welfare reform and opposed to gay marriage.
Englehardt, 70, who owns a cabin rental service, said the state’s welfare system costs too much and must be better managed.
Winner faces Democrat Stanley Short of Pittsfield. The district covers Clinton, Detroit and Pittsfield.
• House 50: Republican primary in which Henry B. Simmons of Nobleboro will face Ellen A. Winchenbach of Waldoboro.
The seat is open this year because incumbent Rep. Dana Dow, R-Waldoboro, is not seeking re-election.
Winchenbach, 55, said her experience running a small business — she’s a cosmetologist — and her service as a Waldoboro selectman and in other local government posts, make her a strong candidate.
Simmons, 47, served one term as a Nobleboro selectman. He refused to be interviewed.
Winner faces Democrat Joel A. Pitcher of Jefferson. The district covers Bremen, part of Jefferson, Nobleboro and Waldoboro.
• House 57: Republican primary with Michael Hein of Augusta facing Andrew Worcester of Augusta.
Hein, 42, said he’s running for office because he wants to improve constituent services. Last week, he pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft by deception for allegedly falsifying documents in an attempt to qualify for public money as part of the Maine Clean Election program.
Worcester did not respond to several requests for an interview.
Winner faces Rep. Maeghan Maloney, D-Augusta. The district covers part of Augusta.
• House 58: Democratic primary where Lori Fowle of Vassalboro faces Richard Fournier of Windsor.
Fowle, 49, a former hair salon owner and stay-at-home mom, said she’s running for office because she wants to improve education and that she did not like the top-down approach of school district consolidation.
Fournier, 57, a retired letter carrier, said he wants to assure health insurance coverage for Mainers, work to preserve unions and help people faced with losing their homes.
The winner faces Rep. Karen Foster, R-Augusta. The district covers part of Augusta, Vassalboro and Windsor.
• House 59: Three-way Democratic primary: Harvey DeVane of Gardiner, Gay Grant of South Gardiner, Phillip Barter of Gardiner.
The seat is open because Rep. Stephen Hanley, D-Gardiner, can’t run because of term limits.
Barter, 64, is an Army veteran and Realtor who said people are unhappy with LePage and that they expect common sense solutions.
DeVane, 76, is a former state official, Maine House member and town manager who said the state needs reasonable leaders, not those who focus on extremes.
Grant, 52, a former school board member and owner of a writing consulting business, said workers needs to have jobs that pay a livable wage.
Winner faces Republican Daniel Bates of Gardiner. The district covers Gardiner and Randolph.
• House 79: Republican primary between William Guerrette III of West Gardiner and Ryan Wheaton of West Gardiner.
Guerrette, 28, manages Sun Tan City and said the state must lower taxes and ease regulations to help small businesses.
Wheaton, 34, a teacher and owner of an e-commerce company, said the economy is his priority and that voters expect legislators to be held accountable for their actions.
The winner faces Rep. Sharon Treat, D-Hallowell. District covers Farmingdale, Hallowell, West Gardiner
• House 82: Democratic primary between Kevin Cookson of Winthrop and Craig Hickman of Winthrop.
The seat is open because Rep. Patrick Flood, R-Winthrop, can’t run because of term limits.
Cookson, 59, is a private detective who said schools need to do a better job of focusing on teaching in the areas of technology and engineering.
Hickman, 44, who owns and operates an organic farm and bed and breakfast, said the state needs better-paying jobs and that the state should invest more in local agriculture.
Winner faces Republican Scott Davis of Winthrop. The district covers Readfield and Winthrop.
• House District 84: Democratic primary between Karen Kusiak of Fairfield and Ed Finch of Hinckley.
Kusiak, 59, is a part-time teacher at Colby College who said she supports early education and state bonding projects to help fix roads.
Finch, 69, is a former House member and local town official who said the state should support job training through vocational programs and continuing education.
The winner faces Rep. John Picchiotti, R-Fairfield. The district covers Rome, Fairfield and Smithfield.
Susan M. Cover — 621-5643
scover@mainetoday.com
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