AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Senate will decide the winner of a close race for one of the chamber’s seats.
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap says a recount of ballots Tuesday showed Republican Cathleen Manchester beat Democrat Catherine Breen by 11 votes in the race for Senate District 25, which covers part of Cumberland County. But unofficial results before the recount showed Breen beating Manchester by 32 votes.
Both candidates have to accept the results, but nine ballots are in dispute.
Dunlap says the Senate president will create an election committee, which will examine the disputed ballots, try to resolve the differences and recommend a winner. Then the full Senate will decide.
New lawmakers will be sworn in Dec. 3, but it’s unclear when the Senate will resolve the issue.
For now, Breen will be seated.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less