Senate District 13

Windsor, Washington, Lincoln County (except Dresden)

*Johnson (D) 4,518, Fossel (R) 4,405

With nine of 20 communities reporting, it was too close to call in Senate District 13.

For the second time in two years, Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, tried to defend the seat against Les Fossel, a Republican from Alna, who lost to Johnson in 2012 after a recount.

Fossel, a 68-year-old restoration contractor, was a moderate state representative from 2008 to 2012. Johnson, a 57-year-old information technology director, is co-chairman of the Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee and has been a leader on fishery issues, including the impact of ocean acidification on the shellfish industry.

Senate District 14

Gardiner, Hallowell, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, West Gardiner, Winthrop

Bustin (D) 6,646, Quintal (i) 1,416, McCormick (R) 8,987

Former state Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner, defeated two others in the Senate District 14 race. McCormick held a comfortable lead over Democrat David Bustin and independent Gary Quintal with results from all communities except Manchester.

Quintal, 59, the town of Readfield’s code enforcement officer, said he’s running because Augusta needs a change, and there are two long-term legislators competing for the seat. McCormick, 71, of West Gardiner, is a former state lawmaker who said he wants to help small businesses. And Bustin, 76, of Hallowell, who served eight years Maine House of Representatives in the 1970s and in the administration of former Gov. Joseph Brennan, said his experience made him the best choice.

Senate District 15

Augusta, China, Oakland, Sidney, Vassalboro

*Katz (R) 7,836, Cornell du Houx (D) 3,167

Two-term incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Katz defeated newcomer Democrat Rebecca Cornell du Houx by a large margin, with all cities and towns except China reporting results.

Katz, 65, an attorney, touted his experience and hopes he has gained the trust of district residents through what he describes as his bipartisan work in the Legislature.

Cornell du Houx, 28, said it is time for a fresh new working class perspective that she could bring to the Legislature as a member of the military and a former social worker. She’s been a member of the Maine Army National Guard for 11 years.

Senate District 17

Vienna, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Belgrade, Franklin County

*Saviello (R) 6,914, Dunlap (D) 2,695

State Sen. Thomas Saviello, R-Wilton, defeated Democrat Joanne Dunlap of Rangeley Plantation.

With nine of 28 precincts reporting, Saviello led Dunlap 6,914 to 2,695.

Saviello, 64, of Wilton, is a moderate Republican who worked to expand Medicaid to 60,000 low income residents and add cost-management provisions, a bill that was vetoed by Gov. Paul LePage.

Dunlap, 71, of Rangeley Plantation, said she is active in environmental affairs and would support the expansion of Medicaid.

Senate District 22

Wayne, Litchfield, Leeds, Greene, Turner, Wales, Sabattus, Lisbon, Durham

*Mason (R) 7,486, Desjardins (D) 5,324

With eight of 10 precincts reporting, Sen. Garrett Mason, R-Lisbon, led Androscoggin County Sheriff Guy Desjardins, a Sabattus Democrat, in the race for Senate District 22.

Mason, a 29-year-old real estate agent, may be best known for sponsoring the law that established public charter schools in Maine. The incumbent said he wants to fund revenue sharing and continue his work on education, which makes it necessary to trim costs at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Desjardins, 61, said people he’s talked to in the district are upset by a property tax increase brought on by past reductions in state aid to cities and towns. Maine is supposed to share 5 percent of sales and income tax revenue with municipalities, but it hasn’t in several years.

Senate District 23

Dresden, Sagadahoc County

 

*Vitelli (D) 2,219, Baker (R) 3,170, Knapp (GI) 1,305

With five of 11 precincts reporting, it was too close to call Senate District 23.

Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, is being challenged by Republican Linda Baker and Green Independent Alice Knapp. Vitelli, 65, said she can help find common ground with other lawmakers to get things done.

Baker, 66, a retired school teacher from Topsham, said her 31 years in public school classrooms give her a close connection and deep understanding of her communities.

Knapp, 54, of Richmond, an attorney, said her independent bent, coupled with her years of experience in health insurance, gives her a fresh perspective on the state health care system.

* Denotes the incumbent

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