BATH — Democrat Michael Clarke edged out former legislator Robert Winglass, a Republican, on Tuesday to become the next representative from House District 62.

In Senate District 19, incumbent Democratic state Sen. Seth Goodall of Richmond defeated Republican David Kaler of Bath.

Clarke won the House seat, which covers part of Bath, by a vote of 1,872 to 1,482, according to preliminary results.

He said on Wednesday that he is excited about the win, adding that he and Winglass “had a very respectful, non-confrontational campaign.”

Clarke said he will work hard in the term ahead, and that “it’s an honor to have been chosen.”

He will fill a vacancy left last spring by former Rep. Thom Watson, D-Bath. Watson, who was prevented by term limits from seeking re-election to the House, left six months before the end of his fourth and final term to work for the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board.

Clarke is a captain and paramedic with the Bath Fire Department. A U.S. Navy veteran, he also serives with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Search and Rescue Task Force.

He left a part-time job at L.L. Bean, where he worked in security and operations, about 18 months ago to pursue the campaign, but he will remain with the Fire Department.

This is Clarke’s first foray into politics. He also sits on the Bath Rotary Club board, the Sagadahoc County Working Group on Family Violence and the Merrymeeting Bay TRIAD committee.

Senate District 19

Goodall secured his  second term in the Senate by a vote of 9,564 to 8,330, according to preliminary results.

Senate District 19 includes Sagadahoc County and the Lincoln County town of Dresden.

Goodall carried Bath 1,894 to 1,868 and Topsham 2,509 to 1,934.

“I’m very thankful to my constituents for having the faith in me to represent them for another two years in Augusta,” he said on Wednesday, adding that he would focus on making Maine stronger in areas like the economy and jobs.

Goodall practices law with Augusta-based Dyer, Goodall & Denison. As a teenager in Richmond, he and his brother co-founded Goodall Landscaping, which is now based in Topsham.

Goodall served two years of a three-year term on the Richmond Board of Selectmen from 2007 to 2009, when he stepped down to serve in the Legislature.

He said last month that he sought a second term to continue to help build Maine’s economy and make the state a better place to live and work. He expressed a desire to provide better educational opportunities for young Mainers, and encourage them to stay in the state after completing high school and college.

Goodall also said the most critical issue today is building of a stronger economy and creating jobs in Maine.

Alex Lear can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net.