House Minority Leader Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, has been reelected to his leadership role by his fellow House Republicans. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal, file

Republicans elected to the Maine House of Representatives reelected Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham as their minority leader Friday but replaced their assistant minority leader.

Faulkingham, a lobsterman from Winter Harbor, said in a release that his caucus plans to focus on reducing energy costs and lowering state spending over the next two years.

“The needs of everyday Mainers are being ignored,” Faulkingham said. “If Democrats don’t give us a seat at the table, we will continue to speak loudly for the people of Maine.”

Republicans took some seats away from the Democrats in Tuesday’s elections, but Democrats maintained majorities in both the House and Senate.

Senate Republicans also chose leaders Friday, reelecting Sen. Trey Stewart, R-Presque Isle, as minority leader and electing Sen. Matthew Harrington, R-Sanford, as assistant leader. Harrington replaces Sen. Lisa Keim, who could not run this year because of term limits.

Republicans picked up at least three seats in the Senate, growing their ranks to 15, according to the Associated Press. Democrats won at least 19 seats.

The AP had not projected a winner for the remaining Senate seat, District 8, which Democrats expect to hold. Democrat Michael Tipping was about 200 votes ahead of Republican Leo Kenney Friday night with about 96% of the votes counted.

“It is clear that Maine voters and our nation are not happy with the status quo and wanted change,” Stewart said in a written statement. “It is the first time we have grown our membership since we lost the majority in 2018. With a diverse range of talents, expertise, passion and viewpoints, our Caucus is ready to begin the people’s important work, which will unfortunately include a looming budget shortfall, electricity costs that will only go up unless we fix it and a host of other issues that remain unresolved from the 131st Legislature.”

Senate Republican leader Trey Stewart speaks at a news conference about child welfare in Maine in 2023. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer, file

Stewart is a real estate attorney and Harrington is a real estate agent and former police officer married to lobbyist Lauren LePage, the daughter of former Gov. Paul LePage.

In the House, Republicans picked up at least four seats and are requesting recounts in a handful of other close races.

Faulkingham said Republicans came within 100 votes of winning the majority in the 151-seat chamber.

“The desire for positive change was evident in this year’s election,” he said.

Republicans replaced Rep. Amy Arata, R-New Gloucester, with Rep. Katrina Smith, R-Palmero, as the assistant minority leader.

“I’m proud of the work I’ve done to bring people together and try to make the House run efficiently and effectively for the people of Maine,” Arata said. “The caucus decided to go in a different direction, and I wish the best for the new leadership team.”

Smith, a real estate agent and small-business owner, is finishing her first term in the House and was reelected with 64% of the vote. She is involved with conservative groups such as the American Legislative Exchange Council and Young Americans for Liberty.

She has been an outspoken opponent of COVID vaccine mandates, expanding abortion access and gender-affirming care, and she supports strengthening parental rights in schools, including advocating for parents to be informed if their child is using pronouns that differ from their biological gender.

House Democrats are expected to choose their leaders Wednesday.