Party candidates in two Maine House of Representatives districts and for the office of York County Sheriff will face primary challenges June 8.
But gubernatorial candidate Democrat Donna Dion won’t be joining the list of candidates for the top spot in Augusta.
Dion, a former mayor of Biddeford, arrived at the Secretary of State’s Office at 5:03 p.m. Monday, she said in a telephone interview this morning. But even though she was three minutes over the 5 p.m. deadline, Dion said in any case, it appears she wouldn’t have had the required number of signatures to appear on the ballot.
“I was collecting signatures until 3:30 p.m. and we took off for Augusta,” said Dion. After finding a locked door on one side of the building that houses the secretary of state’s office, she tried another and then waited for the elevator.
“When I went to the door, it was 5:03 p.m.,” she said. Dion said once she arrived back home she found she wouldn’t have been able to satisfy the 2,000 signatures required in any case, because some who had signed were unenrolled or registered in a different party.
“I’m still the same person and I have the same qualifications,” she said. Dion estimated she was off by “a few hundred,” valid signatures.
As to the primary races, Republicans William Gombar and Clarence Stewart will face off to run in House District 132, Old Orchard Beach. The winner will face incumbent Democrat George Hogan in the November election.
And in House District 136, Democrats Megan Rochelo and Bobby Mills will vie to run against Republican Sturgis Whalen for the open seat. Stephen Beaudette, who currently represents District 136, is term-limited.
In the race for York County Sheriff, incumbent Democrat Maurice Ouellette of Cornish will face a primary challenge by Paul Main of Alfred. The winner will be challenged by Republican Craig Gagne of Springvale.
In races for York County Commissioner, a candidate who said he mailed his petitions to Augusta Thursday won’t be on the ballot because the paperwork didn’t arrive by the 5 p.m. Monday deadline.
Assistant Secretary of State Julie Flynn said incumbent Democrat Daniel Cabral has the option of being a declared write-in candidate for District 3, provided he fills out the required paperwork 45 days prior to the June 8 primary. District 3 includes Dayton, Lyman, Old Orchard Beach and Waterboro. No one else returned petition papers for the seat.
“I mailed it in Thursday,” said Cabral this morning. “I figured there’s no way it couldn’t get there, I could have walked it there.”
In County Commissioner District 5, incumbent Democrat Gary Sinden didn’t need to file petitions for a primary said Flynn, because he was an appointee. Instead, both parties will caucus and nominate a candidate for the November ballot. Flynn said the deadline will be the fourth Monday in July ”“ the same date for candidates who will replace those who withdraw.
MAINE SENATE
In District 2, which includes Acton, Berwick, Cornish, Lebanon, Limerick, Newfield, North Berwick, Parsonsfield, Shapleigh and Wells, Democrat Richard Burns of Berwick and Republican Ronald Collins of Wells are seeking the open seat. Both are former members of the Maine House of Representatives.
In Senate District 3, which includes Alfred, Limington, Lyman, Sanford, Springvale and Waterboro, there will be a re-match from 2008. Republican incumbent Jonathan Courtney of Springvale, also the assistant minority leader, is seeking re-election and will face a challenge by Democrat Robert Stackpole of Sanford.
In Senate District 4, Republican Owen Pickus will challenge incumbent Democrat Nancy Sullivan. Both are of Biddeford. District 4 includes Arundel, the Kennebunks and part of Biddeford.
For Senate District 5, which includes Buxton, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and part of Biddeford, incumbent Barry Hobbins will be challenged by Republican John Cushing, both of Saco.
Democrat Bill Diamond represents Hollis in Sen. District 12. The remaining municipalities he represents are in Cumberland County and will be challenged by Republican Anne-Marie Grenier. Both are of Windham.
MAINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
In District 131, former legislator James Libby is looking to unseat incumbent Democrat Robert Hunt.
In House District 133, Saco, incumbent Democrat Don Pilon will face a challenge from Republican Brad Watts.
In House District 134, Saco, incumbent Democrat Linda Valentino will be challenged by Republican Mary Schiavoni and Green Party candidate Roger B. Gay.
Incumbent Democrat Paulette Beaudoin will face a challenge from Republican Marc A. Worrell in District 135, Biddeford.
In House District 137, Biddeford, Republican Susanne Y. Sexton will try to unseat incumbent Democrat Alan Casavant.
For District 138, Democrat Diana Waterman of Shapleigh and Republican David Burns of Alfred will compete for the seat that represents Alfred, Limerick, Newfield and Shapleigh.
Incumbent Democrat Joseph Wagner is seeking re-election in District 139, which includes Waterboro and part of Lyman and will be challenged by Republican Charles Aaskov. Both are of Lyman.
For District 140, Arundel, Dayton, part of Lyman, and part of Kennebunk, incumbent Democrat Gary Connor will face Republican Wayne P. Parry of Arundel.
Republican Paul Bennett of Kennebunk will challenge incumbent Democrat Edward Legg in District 141, Kennebunk.
In House District 142, Sanford, incumbent Democrat Andrea Boland will be challenged by Republican Linda Gulnac.
Republican Maura Herlihy will challenge incumbent Democrat John Tuttle for Sanford District 143.
In District 144, Acton and part of Lebanon, Democrat Larissa Crockett will try to unseat Republican incumbent Joan Nass.
Incumbent Republican Kathleen Chase will be challenged in District 147 by Democrat Fred Houle. Both live in Wells.
YORK COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Democrat Sallie Chandler of Lebanon is unopposed for District 1 York County Commissioner. The district includes Acton, Berwick, Buxton, Cornish, Hollis, Lebanon, Limerick, Limington, Newfield and Parsonsfield.
In County Commissioner District 2, which includes Arundel, Biddeford and the Kennebunks, incumbent Democrat Richard Dutremble of Biddeford is unopposed.
Democrat incumbent Mark Lawrence is unopposed for York County district attorney.
Democrat incumbent Frank Wood is unopposed for York County Treasurer.
Democrat incumbent Debra Anderson of Springvale is unopposed for re-election as Register of Deeds.
Non-party candidates have until June 1 to submit petitions for the November ballot.
— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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