AUGUSTA — A self-described conservative from West Gardiner who was defeated in a recent primary race is challenging Rep. Patrick Flood, R-Winthrop, for the Senate District 21 nomination.

Ryan Wheaton, a small businessman and teacher, said he wants to provide a more conservative option than Flood, who announced last week that he is running for the GOP nomination. Wheaton, 34, lost in the recent Republican primary for House District 79 to William Guerrette III, 351-305.

The owner of Maine-ly Inks, an electronic-commerce company, Wheaton also teaches business at the Capital Area Technical Center in Augusta.

Wheaton said he is anti-abortion and pro-traditional marriage. In 2009, Flood voted in support of gay marriage as a member of the House and has voted against legislation that attempted to restrict abortions in Maine.

“There’s a really good young Republican movement that’s been growing in the state,” Wheaton said. “The younger generation of the Republican Party is finally coming to leadership roles. It’s important for us to have our say in politics.”

Earlier this month, Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner, announced he had dropped out of the race for Senate District 21.

It is not yet clear when Kennebec County Republicans will meet to choose a new Republican nominee to face Democrat David Bustin, of Hallowell, in the general election race in the fall. McCormick said Monday that he is endorsing Flood in the race.

Registered Republicans who live in the district’s 11 communities — Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, West Gardiner and Winthrop — are eligible to vote to choose a new nominee.

Flood, House chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said last week he’s ready to make the switch from the House to the Senate. Flood is prevented from seeking another House term because of term limits.

“Service in the Legislature is a matter of duty and responsibility to me,” he said in an e-mail last week. “I hope I would be a suitable candidate but that decision rests in the capable hands of the district’s Republican Committee Caucus. I’ll give it my best effort.”

Susan Cover — 621-5643

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