Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville), will continue to represent District 20 in the Maine Senate after a Nov. 20 recount did not change Election Day results.
The recount widened Johnson’s slim margin of victory, from 134 votes to 171, still just 0.79 percent of the 21,715 votes cast.
Johnson’s opponent, Rep. Les Fossel (R-Alna) requested the recount, citing the close vote and his concerns about possible errors resulting from the introduction of new vote-counting machines in several towns.
Fossel has lost three close races for the Senate seat in 10 years, all ending in recounts – the general election in 2002, the Republican primary in 2004 and this year’s general election.
District 20 includes all of Lincoln County except Dresden, plus the Kennebec County town of Windsor and the Knox County towns of Friendship and Washington.
Another close local contest ended as Buzz Pinkham (R-Damariscotta), withdrew his request for a recount of the results of the District 51 House race. Pinkham had previously said he would wait to see the results of the District 20 recount to determine whether there were widespread inconsistencies.
Mick Devin (D-Newcastle) won the race by 93 votes and will succeed four-term Rep. Jon McKane (R-Newcastle).
District 51 includes Bristol, Damariscotta, Edgecomb, Monhegan Plantation, Newcastle and South Bristol.
