AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrats on Wednesday claimed they won back legislative majorities they lost to the Republicans two years ago, presenting a new political dynamic in dealing with GOP Gov. Paul LePage.
The Democratic Party said preliminary Election Day results show their candidates won 19 seats to the Republicans’ 13 in the Senate, where one independent also was elected. They also counted an 87-59 majority in the House, with four unenrolled seats. The results are unofficial and incomplete, and subject to change with recounts.
The new numbers would represent a shift from the 19-15-1 GOP edge in the Senate and 77-70 majority in the House, where there also are two unenrolled members and two vacancies.
‘‘This election was about working Mainers standing up for themselves and saying enough. We heard them, we've got their back, and we’re ready to work,’’ Maine Democratic Party Chairman Ben Grant said.
Republican senators who appeared to be ousted include Lois Snowe-Mello of Polandm and Sen. Christopher Rector of Thomaston. Snowe-Mello was losing to former Democratic senator John Cleveland of Auburn, according to unofficial results. Rector was losing to Democrat Edward Mazurek of Rockland. Mazurek has reached the state’s maximum four House terms.
In House races, Democratic Rep. John Martin of Eagle Lake appeared to be ousted by Republican Allen Nadeau of Fort Kent. Martin was first elected in 1964 and has served 23 legislative terms including an unprecedented 10 terms as House speaker.
Maine Republican Party spokesman David Sorensen had no immediate comment on the legislative numbers, but said the party was planning a statement later Wednesday. LePage, who was elected in 2010 with tea party support and has supported rollbacks in social programs and tax cuts opposed by Democrats, also promised a statement on the Democratic gains.
Meanwhile, major public worker unions hailed the return of legislative control to the Democrats, who had held the reins for more than three decades before the Republicans’ stunning 2010 takeover.
‘‘Based on the unofficial election results, it also appears that Mainers elected a majority of leaders to both the Maine House and the Maine Senate whose priorities are workers, retired workers and families — not insurance companies, corporate lobbyists and millionaires,’’ said Ginette Rivard, president of the Maine State Employees Association, which represents thousands of state workers.
Lois Kilby-Chesley, president of the Maine Education Association, said the Democratic gains are ‘‘not a win for any single political party, but for educators and middle class Mainers whose voices have fallen on deaf ears in Augusta. The results of this election give us our voice back.’’
The Democratic Party said preliminary Election Day results show their candidates won 19 seats to the Republicans’ 13 in the Senate, where one independent also was elected. They also counted an 87-59 majority in the House, with four unenrolled seats. The results are unofficial and incomplete, and subject to change with recounts.
The new numbers would represent a shift from the 19-15-1 GOP edge in the Senate and 77-70 majority in the House, where there also are two unenrolled members and two vacancies.
‘‘This election was about working Mainers standing up for themselves and saying enough. We heard them, we've got their back, and we’re ready to work,’’ Maine Democratic Party Chairman Ben Grant said.
Republican senators who appeared to be ousted include Lois Snowe-Mello of Polandm and Sen. Christopher Rector of Thomaston. Snowe-Mello was losing to former Democratic senator John Cleveland of Auburn, according to unofficial results. Rector was losing to Democrat Edward Mazurek of Rockland. Mazurek has reached the state’s maximum four House terms.
In House races, Democratic Rep. John Martin of Eagle Lake appeared to be ousted by Republican Allen Nadeau of Fort Kent. Martin was first elected in 1964 and has served 23 legislative terms including an unprecedented 10 terms as House speaker.
Maine Republican Party spokesman David Sorensen had no immediate comment on the legislative numbers, but said the party was planning a statement later Wednesday. LePage, who was elected in 2010 with tea party support and has supported rollbacks in social programs and tax cuts opposed by Democrats, also promised a statement on the Democratic gains.
Meanwhile, major public worker unions hailed the return of legislative control to the Democrats, who had held the reins for more than three decades before the Republicans’ stunning 2010 takeover.
‘‘Based on the unofficial election results, it also appears that Mainers elected a majority of leaders to both the Maine House and the Maine Senate whose priorities are workers, retired workers and families — not insurance companies, corporate lobbyists and millionaires,’’ said Ginette Rivard, president of the Maine State Employees Association, which represents thousands of state workers.
Lois Kilby-Chesley, president of the Maine Education Association, said the Democratic gains are ‘‘not a win for any single political party, but for educators and middle class Mainers whose voices have fallen on deaf ears in Augusta. The results of this election give us our voice back.’’