State House elections: Recount in battle among young Maine Democrats, top Republican wins big

Maine's 2026 Primary Sets the Stage for High-Stakes Statehouse Battle

By a whisker-thin margin, a race between two young Democratic lawmakers in southern Maine is heading toward a recount, while a prominent Republican leader romped to an easy primary victory Tuesday in a contested Senate district along the Down East coast.

Tuesday's primary election results across Maine's state legislature races will shape the November general election, where both chambers remain in Democratic hands but Republicans see a genuine opportunity to make gains with Governor Janet Mills termed out of office.

Unofficial results show Representative Sophie Warren narrowly leading Representative Ellie Sato by just 24 votes in the Democratic primary for the Scarborough-Gorham Senate seat being vacated by outgoing Senator Stacy Brenner. Warren, a 30-year-old law student at the University of Maine, won decisively in Scarborough while Sato, a 28-year-old former Senate aide, carried Gorham. Because of the razor-thin margin, Sato has requested a recount.

"That was a hometown advantage effect," said one political observer tracking the race. "Both candidates ran strong campaigns, but where they lived mattered."

The winner will face Republican Harry White in November in what is expected to be a solidly Democratic district.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham easily won the Republican primary for the Senate seat representing Washington County and part of Hancock County. Faulkingham, a 47-year-old lobsterman from Winter Harbor, defeated former Representative Kenneth "Bucket" Davis by a roughly 4-to-1 margin, securing about 81 percent of the vote.

The outcome was notable because Washington County politicians had publicly backed Davis, expressing a preference for keeping the seat held by a local resident rather than a candidate from neighboring Hancock County. Faulkingham dismissed those concerns.

"It appears that I've received more primary votes than anybody in the history of the district, so it's very humbling," Faulkingham told the Ellsworth American. "I don't take that lightly. I appreciate the support. I love Down East Maine. I'm not going to let them down."

Faulkingham will face Representative Aaron Dana, an independent who represents the Passamaquoddy tribe in the House, in November. He enters the general election as the clear favorite in the reliably Republican district.

Several other competitive primaries played out across the state.

In Windham, Republican businessman Kenny Cianchette won his party's nomination for the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Tim Nangle. Cianchette, who owns Erik's Church, a country music venue in Windham, defeated former social worker Peter Violette by a roughly 59 percent to 41 percent margin. He will face Nangle in November in a district that also includes Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook.

In Lewiston, Shanna Cox, former head of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, defeated Representative Mana Abdi in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat being vacated by outgoing Senator Peggy Rotundo. Cox won with about 57 percent of the vote and will face independent Eryn Soule this fall.

Republican primaries were equally contentious in central Maine.

Representative Chad Perkins appears on track to win the four-way Republican contest for the Senate seat being left open by outgoing Senator Stacey Guerin. With most results tallied, Perkins held about 48 percent of the vote, just short of a majority that would avoid a ranked-choice runoff. He led Joseph Guerin at 43 percent, with Zach Wood at 18 percent and Gregory Pierce at 5 percent.

Former Maine Republican Party Chair Joel Stetkis defeated Representative Danny Costain in the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Senator Brad Farrin. Stetkis, who has been campaign chair for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles, won with roughly 59 percent of the vote.

In the House, Nancy Theriault won the Republican primary to succeed the late Representative Kathy Javner, who died of cancer in January at age 52. Theriault, a Millinocket realtor, defeated James Michaud by an 83 percent to 17 percent margin and will face Democrat Nancy McDowell in November. Theriault also won Tuesday's separate special election to serve the remainder of Javner's term.

In Portland, two city councilors secured their party's nominations for open House seats and face no general election opposition. Councilor April Fournier will represent District 114, covering neighborhoods north of Back Cove, while former Councilor Andrew Zarro will represent District 115 to the west. Both districts are expected to remain in Democratic hands.

The primary results set up a November election where control of the State House hangs in the balance. Democrats currently hold a 75-72 majority in the House—narrowed by three independent-leaning members, two non-voting tribal representatives, and one vacancy—and a 20-14 advantage in the Senate. With Mills unable to seek another term, Republicans see the opening as their best chance in years to reclaim at least one chamber.