SANFORD — Two potential candidates – one Democrat and one Republican – have indicated they intend to seek the nomination for House District 19, left vacant last month by the untimely death of Rep. Bill Noon, a Springvale Democrat. District 19 encompasses part of Sanford and Springvale, the village within the city limits.

Caucuses for the Democrat and Republican nod are set for this week and next. A special election to fill the vacancy will take place Nov. 3. The individual elected will serve the balance of Noon’s term, until the 2016 election.

Jean Noon, wife of the late representative, told The Associated Press last week she intends to make a bid for the seat. And Matthew Harrington, who ran for the seat in the last election has declared his intent to run for the GOP, said York County Republican chairman Jim Booth.

So far the two are believed to be the only declared candidates.

The GOP will caucus at 7 p.m., Aug. 20 at Sanford City Hall to nominate a candidate. Democrats will caucus at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 24 at Nasson Community Center in Springvale – organizers say attendees should use the side door of the community center adjacent to the Springvale District Court building; it is most accessible from the rear parking lot.

People voting in the caucuses must be registered Democrats or Republicans who live in District 19.

Green Independents have not set a caucus. Petitions for non-party candidates may be requested from the Elections Division and must be submitted to the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, according to SOS spokeswoman Kristen Muszynski. Write-in candidates must declare and file with the Secretary of State by 5 p.m., Sept. 14.

Bill Noon was elected to his second 2-year term to represent House District 19, in November. A carpenter and sheep farmer, Noon, 66, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in January, 2014 and died July 15. His widow, Jean Noon, told The Associated Press that she wants to continue the work that her late husband started in service to his community and state. She is an organic sheep farmer who also worked in local public schools for 13 years as an art teacher.

Harrington is a police officer in Kennebunk who first made a bid for the Legislature in 2014 – a race Bill Noon, who was seeking his second term, won, 1,697 to 1,554.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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