The mayoral race in Westbrook is shaping up to be the most memorable in years.

After the last participant filed out of the highly contested Democratic caucus Tuesday night, with official nominations written on a board, the field of candidates remains unsettled.

City Democrats turned out in droves, and selected Michael Shaughnessy as their candidate for the city’s next mayor, marking a quick rise in popularity for the former Windham resident. But, City Councilor Mike Sanphy – losing his bid by less than 20 votes – reassured supporters following the tally that he would take out nomination papers and run for the position.

Shaughnessy, the president of the Friends of the Presumpscot River organization, received an endorsement from current three-term Mayor Colleen Hilton and beat out Sanphy for the nomination. Hilton nominated Shaughnessy during the caucus, saying that he would bring a fresh energy to Westbrook. Prior to the caucus, Sanphy said he had planned to continue his quest for mayor either way.

Shaughnessy beat Sanphy, 87 to 69.

With two Democrats on the ticket in November, however, some worry that a potential split vote could be a downside to the high interest among Democrats during this election season. James Tranchemontagne has already submitted his nomination papers and is running as an independent, and the race could also yield still more candidates. Deputy City Clerk Ashley Rand said Wednesday that so far, Eric Thistle, a Democrat, and Jason Jerrier, who’s unenrolled, have also taken out nomination papers from the clerk’s office. Signed papers must be filed at City Hall by Sept. 26.

In Westbrook, candidates can either be nominated by party caucuses or receive the required number of voter signatures to appear on the ballot.

A crowd of about 200 packed the gymnasium at the Westbrook Community Center, also selecting longtime politician Ann Peoples for the City Council at-large seat left vacant by Michael Foley, and former City Clerk Lynda Adams for Ward 5 City Councilor – Sanphy’s current post. At the Republican caucus last month, no candidates were selected.

Rand said resident Jeffrey Labbe has also taken out nomination papers for the City Council at-large seat.

Incumbents Brendan Rielly and Victor Chau, in wards 1 and 2, respectively, kept their City Council nominations, as did at-large School Committee incumbent Suzanne Joyce, Ward 3 incumbent Noreen Poitras and Ward 4 incumbent Mike Popovic.

After the results were announced, Shaughnessy told the American Journal he’ll now shift to campaigning and plans to “run hard.”

“I believe Westbrook is on a precipice,” Shaughnessy said about the city’s potential, adding that Hilton has brought the city forward during her tenure. “It’s got its issues, but it has great people. Westbrook is primed to set the bar.”

Sanphy called his loss a “bump in the road.”

“I think I’ve earned it, and I’m not going to give it up,” he said after the caucus, adding that he believes he’ll have broad support from voters citywide.

Between his time at the Westbrook police, fire and rescue departments and City Council, Sanphy has served Westbrook for 48 years.

Shaughnessy is a longtime art professor at the University of Southern Maine. As a Windham resident, he served on the Windham Town Council. He and his wife, Malory Shaughnessy, recently purchased the former home of Ellie Saunders on Conant Street. Malory Shaughnessy was also selected to chair the Westbrook Democratic Committee Tuesday, replacing State Rep. Drew Gattine.

Hilton said she endorsed Shaughnessy because of his knowledge of the Presumpscot River restoration, which has big implications for downtown Westbrook, as well as his growing involvement in other facets of the community.

“He’s got a real diverse set of interests,” she said, adding that she’s seen Shaughnessy at many other Westbrook community events lately. “As I learned more about him, he was involved in a lot of aspects of the city.”

She said one of the hardest parts of her decision not to run is stepping away from projects that “are still in play,” such as the Saccarappa dam removal and fish passage project, and how it will play into economic development for the city.

She said she met with Shaughnessy and a few other people who were considering a run in order to tell them more about the role.

When asked about the potential split vote caused by his decision to run, Sanphy said it could benefit Tranchemontagne, but he still thinks he can win the popular vote.

“I think I have a lot of support out there,” he said, adding that many people have called him, offering support and help collecting signatures. He said Wednesday he’d taken out papers and was already collecting signatures.

He said he’s disappointed his party didn’t nominate him.

Within the crowd Tuesday were a number of independent and Republican voters, who came to watch the process unfold. Westbrook business owner Deb Shangraw said Wednesday that she believes the split Democratic ticket will benefit Tranchemontagne. She said that while the large turnout “speaks well of their party,” the potential split “is a plus for James Tranchemontagne, in my opinion.”

“Many Republicans will vote for James as well as independents, (and maybe even some Dems) but with any race, you never know how the voters will vote and how the turnout will be,” she said in an email.

The City Clerk’s office is expecting a large turnout in November because of the U.S. presidential election. The city has roughly 12,000 registered voters.

Tranchemontagne said Wednesday that he’s not thinking about, or planning on, any benefits from a possible split vote. Instead, he said, he’s counting on voters to see that he is the true “change” candidate.

“I think people are just looking for a new direction, and someone who wears a lot of hats,” he said, pointing out that he’s a parent with kids in the school system, a business owner, volunteer, supporter of the arts and longtime Westbrook resident. “I don’t think you’ll get the type of change the city needs without someone who can look at the issues more neutral.”

Party leaders commented on the turnout Tuesday, which many said was the largest they could remember. Gattine, who has been at the center of a statewide political controversy over the past week, said a new candidate brought people out. Hilton announced in August that she would not seek a fourth term, ending months of speculation.

“If you’re a candidate, it’s your job to bring people out,” he said. “It was great.”

Despite the crowded field for mayor, the race may turn out to be amiable. The candidates all told the American Journal that they are familiar and friendly with their opponents.

Tranchemontagne said he’s looking forward to the coming weeks, and hoping there will be a public debate where the candidates can discuss the issues.

Candidates Tuesday brought up issues like the property tax rate, development growth, the regional opiate crisis and downtown revitalization.

Tuesday’s caucus was also attended by a few residents who have led the group Westbrook Citizens for Sustainable Growth, which has advocated for slower development growth in Westbrook. The group was formed in response to the expanding Blue Spruce Farm subdivision.

City Councilor Michael Foley, who announced last month that he would not seek re-election, said Tuesday that he expects the development issue to be a popular campaign topic.

Adams, the Ward 5 candidate for City Council, said she’s supporting Sanphy for mayor.

“The next three years is critical,” she said Tuesday, mentioning concern for development growth, especially with large tracts of land for sale in her ward. “I want to be the voice for my community.”

City Councilor Mike Sanphy speaks with supporters after learning the Democratic caucus results Tuesday, which favored Michael Shaughnessy for mayor. Sanphy plans to submit nomination papers to also appear on the ballot in November.

Michael Shaughnessy, the president of the Friends of the Presumpscot River, won the Democratic nomination for mayor Tuesday, showing a quick rise in popularity within the party.

Roughly 200 people attended the Democratic caucus Tuesday at the Westbrook Community Center. Many within the party said it was the biggest turnout in years.