George O’Keefe Jr. announced Monday that he is dropping out of the Senate District 14 Democratic primary and is endorsing Terry Berry for the position.

Berry, a Gardiner City Council member, will face fellow Democrat Shenna Bellows, of Manchester, in the June 14 primary.

In a news release, O’Keefe, of Winthrop, said Berry’s “experience in local government and business makes him a great fit” for the voters of the district, which consists of Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, West Gardiner and Winthrop.

Also Monday, Bellows announced that former state legislator Sharon Treat is endorsing her campaign.

“When I served in the Legislature, I saw just how effective Shenna could be,” Treat said in a prepared statement. “She’s a good listener, she has experience building coalitions to support legislation, and she’s not afraid of the powerful interests that have been squashing good ideas in Augusta and beyond.”

Treat will be Bellows’ treasurer.

On the Republican side, Maureen Blanchard, a Gardiner city councilor, and Bryan Cutchen, a retired Navy rear admiral, are vying for their party’s nomination in the June primary.

The Senate seat is held by Sen. Earle McCormick, R-West Gardiner, who announced earlier this year that he is not seeking re-election. The 35-member Senate is controlled by Republicans, 20-15.

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