The candidates chosen Nov. 2 to serve in the Maine Senate will face some tough choices in January.
Maine’s Legislature will have to close a gaping hole in the state budget that’s estimated to be as large as $1 billion. Spending and program cuts, borrowing and taxes all will be part of the State House debate. And lawmakers will have to make those decisions against the backdrop of a lagging economy and high unemployment.
Yet there are 76 candidates who want the job, and only 35 seats in the Senate chamber.
Republicans say they expect to ride a national wave of voter discontent and win their first Senate majority since 1995-96. Democrats say they are working hard to keep every seat.
Some bellwether races to watch are:
• In South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and part of Scarborough, Democratic incumbent Larry Bliss faces a challenge from Joe Palmieri, a business owner and radio personality who wants to claim the seat for the GOP.
• In southern York County, York Selectman Mike Estes, a Republican business owner, is facing Rep. Dawn Hill, a Democratic House incumbent. The winner will replace retiring Democratic Sen. Peter Bowman and represent York, Kittery, Eliot, South Berwick and Ogunquit.
• And, in Biddeford, Sen. Nancy Sullivan, a longtime Democratic legislator, faces a challenge from Dr. Owen Pickus, a well-known physician and lawyer.
DISTRICT 3
Alfred, Limington, Lyman, Sanford, Waterboro
Jonathan Courtney, an incumbent Republican from Springvale, is running for re-election against Robert G. Stackpole, a Democrat from Sanford.
Courtney says creating new jobs and reducing the tax burden will be his top priority. For Stackpole, revenue growth is a key concern but that should not be accomplished by raising taxes.
DISTRICT 4
Arundel, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford
Nancy Sullivan, an incumbent Democrat from Biddeford, is running for re-election against Owen Pickus, a Republican also from Biddeford.
Pickus cites rebuilding the economy, creating new jobs and incentives to keep young graduates in the state as his main focus. Sullivan did not return a candidate profile.
DISTRICT 5
Buxton, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Biddeford
Barry Hobbins, an incumbent Democrat from Saco, is running against John Cushing, a Republican also from Saco.
Hobbins says developing a state economic model that interfaces a better educated work force with businesses to develop renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and encourage small business development are his focus. Cushing did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 6
Gorham, Scarborough, Westbrook
Philip L. Bartlett II, an incumbent Democrat from Gorham, is running for re-election against Matt Mattingly, a Republican also from Gorham.
Bartlett says encouraging incentives for new and growing businesses to create jobs, reining in rising health care costs and lowering energy costs will be his focus. Mattingly also cites health care, the economy and jobs as his top priorities. He says supporting small business and cutting spending, not raising taxes, is the key.
DISTRICT 7
Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, Scarborough
Lawrence Bliss, an incumbent Democrat from South Portland, is running against Joe Palmieri, a Republican also from South Portland.
Palmieri says one focus will be creating a business-friendly environment that attracts new ventures to the state to help create jobs and spread the tax burden. Bliss did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 8
Portland
Justin Alfond, an incumbent Democrat from Portland, is running for re-election against Peter Doyle, a Republican from Portland.
Alfond says he will continue to focus on sustaining, attracting and incubating jobs, improving the educational system and economic development. Doyle says his main focus is to improve job prospects in Maine by attracting quality employers that offer good-paying positions while ensuring that businesses receive their fair share of revenues from income and sales taxes.
DISTRICT 9
Portland, Westbrook
Joseph C. Brannigan, an incumbent Democrat from Portland, is running for re-election against Jeff Martin, a Republican from Portland.
Brannigan says balancing the state budget and advocating for senior citizens’ rights will be a main focus if he is re-elected. Martin says creating jobs and improving the economy are his focus.
DISTRICT 10
Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, Pownal
Stanley Gerzofsky, an incumbent Democrat from Brunswick, is running for re-election against Scott Thomas, a Republican from Freeport.
Thomas says government spending and regulation threaten the economic future of every family in Maine, and that he would rein in spending and reform regulation to improve the economy and create jobs. Gerzofsky did not return a candidate survey.
DISTRICT 11
Cumberland, Falmouth, Gray, Long Island, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth
Four candidates are vying for the District 11 seat. They include incumbent Republican Gerald M. Davis of Falmouth, independent Dick Woodbury of Yarmouth, Cynthia Bullens and Christopher Miller.
Davis says the state has to deal with a fiscal crisis but balance it with the need to ensure a secure future and education for young people. Woodbury says the economy is at a tipping point and the Legislature needs to focus on long-term solutions to budget challenges, rather than short-term measures. Bullens and Miller did not return candidate surveys.
DISTRICT 19
Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Dresden, Georgetown, Perkins Twp., Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath and Woolwich
Democratic incumbent Seth Goodall is seeking re-election and faces a challenge from Republican David S. Kaler of Bath.
Kaler says he wants to restore fiscal responsibility and improve the business climate by reducing taxes and regulatory costs. Goodall did not return a candidate survey.
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