Voters wait for their turn in the Old Orchard Beach High School gym on Election Day, Nov. 5. Sydney Richelieu / The Courier

Saco voters approve raise for elected officials 

Saco voters approved a raise for elected officials on Nov 5. The vote passed with 7,308 in favor and 3,630 against.

The City Charter amendment will increase stipends for the mayor, city councilors, and school board members.

The amendment increases the mayor’s annual stipend from $3,600 to $10,000, and increases the stipend for each of the seven city councilors from $1,200 to $5,000. Each of the seven elected school board members will also receive a stipend of $5,000.

In August, Saco Councilor Phil Hatch advocated for the stipend increase.

“I’m proud of my city, and I think we should be a leader and set a tone for public service that includes a reasonable level of compensation for the time involved,” Hatch said.

Saco City Council, School Board, fill unopposed seats

Saco voters elected Douglas Edwards, who ran unopposed for City Council Ward 1 seat. Edwards will fill a position vacated by Marshall Archer, who ran unopposed for state representative.

Ward 3 Councilor Joseph Gunn and Ward 6 Councilor Tricia Huot were reelected. Both ran unopposed.

Three School Board members were also reelected. Carolyn Woronoff of Ward 1, Jeffrey Richard of Ward 3, and Elizabeth Johnston of Ward 7 all ran unopposed.

Newcomer April Kidder was elected to the Ward 5 School Board position, filling a seat vacated by William Gayle. Kidder ran unopposed.

Old Orchard Beach elects councilors, school board, town clerk

Old Orchard Beach voters elected three candidates in a contested five-way Town Council race. Kenneth Blow received the most votes with 3,339.

Shawn O’Neill and Michael Tousignant were also elected, receiving 2,724 votes and 2,650 votes respectively, followed by Guy Fontaine with 2,600 votes and David Boudreau with 1,839 votes.

Two ran unopposed for the two, three-year RSU 23 School Board director positions, Santino Perrone Santino garnered 4,021 and Craig Evans 3,997.

Incumbent Town Clerk Kim McLaughlin ran unopposed, earning 5,292 votes.

Democrats prevail in Senate, State House races 

State House District 130 (Saco):

Democrat and incumbent Lynn Copeland won the State House seat in District 130. The vote was 3,189 for Copeland, or 61%, and 2,023 for her opponent Theodore Sirois, or 39%. 

State House District 131 (OOB): 

Democrat and incumbent Lori Gramlich won the State House seat in District 131. The vote was 3,703 for Gramlich, or 63%, and 2,212 for her opponent Scott Eccleston, or 37%. 

At the polls on Tuesday, Gramlich said the voting crowd was “constant.” 

“There have been a lot of young people,” Gramlich told the Courier. “A lot of young women.” 

State House District 132 (part of Biddeford)

Former State Rep. Ryan Fecteau was elected unopposed to a seat he last held in 2022 with 3,504 votes.

State House District 133 (part of Biddeford)

Incumbent Marc Malon was also unopposed. He was re-elected with 3,981 votes.

State House District 134 (Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford):

Democrat and incumbent Traci Gere won the State House seat in District 134. The vote was 3,728 for Gere, or 62%, and 2,318 for her opponent Elizabeth Jordan, or 38%. 

Speaking to the Courier last week, Gere said that winning re-election tells her that her constituents approve of the job she is doing. She also said she is “thrilled” to continue representing them in Augusta. 

“I will keep working for an ever brighter future for Maine,” Gere said. “I plan to continue my focus on increasing the availability of affordable and attainable housing, both for rent and ownership, so that people can build healthy and fulfilling lives here,

State Senate District 31 (Buxton, OOB, Saco): 

Democrat and incumbent Donna Bailey won the Maine Senate seat in District 31. The vote was 13,002 for Bailey, or 58%, and 9,597 for her opponent Craig Pendleton, or 42%. 

Bailey told the Courier that she ran for office because she believes everyone “deserves to be seen and know they matter.” 

“I believe everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect no matter who they are or their circumstances,” she said. “And I believe our laws can and should reflect that.” 

Bailey also said that she’s ready to “roll up her sleeves” and get back to work in Augusta. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to represent you in Augusta,” she said.

State Senate District 32 (Arundel, Dayton, Hollis, Lyman, Biddeford):

Democrat and incumbent Henry Ingwersen won the Maine Senate seat in District 32. The vote was 10,160 for Ingwersen, or 61%, and 6,609 for his opponent Alfred Schultz, or 39%.

In an interview with the Courier last week, Ingwersen said he is “honored and delighted” that he was voted to serve another two years in the Senate. 

“My sleeves are already rolled up to work on the issues that are important to them,” Ingwersen said. 

Those issues, he said, include addressing PFAS contamination on farmland and water, tackling Maine’s housing crisis, supporting local schools and teachers, and working to meet Maine’s climate goals. 

“We have made great progress, but the work to support the people of York County is ongoing,” Ingwersen said. “I intend to hit the ground running in my second term.” 

York County races

Judge of Probate 

Scott Houde was re-elected as York County judge of probate unopposed with 9,051 votes.

Register of Probate

Carol Lovejoy was re-elected unopposed as register of probate with 8,023 votes.

County Treasurer

Stacy Kilroy bested Robert Travers for the county treasurer position 6,931 to 3,724.