Maine Democrats retained control of the Legislature on Tuesday despite predictions that both chambers could be won by either party.
With some results still pending, Democrats appear to have a 22-13 majority in the Senate and control of the House.
The results of the 151 House seats are still in flux as cities and towns continue to report all of Tuesday’s tallies, but House Democrats are claiming victory in at least 82 districts.
“Maine House Democrats will be focused on an agenda that prioritizes what they heard on the campaign trail from voters across this state,” outgoing House Speaker Ryan Fecteau said in a statement. “An agenda that gives working families in every part of the state opportunities to realize prosperity.”
Democrats have controlled the House in 46 of the last 50 years and in the Senate, Democrats have ruled for 31 years compared to 19 for the Republicans.
In the Senate, Democrats will maintain control of the chamber led by Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Allagash).
“Since the beginning of 2022, they said this year would be a tough one for Democrats,” Jackson said in a statement. “Talking heads on television and pundits in the paper seem to have called the election before the die had even been cast. And we — this extraordinary slate of candidates — said bring it on.”
Republicans targeted Jackson’s seat, hoping to knock him out of power in a district in which the GOP won all other legislative posts. Despite predictions of a close race, Jackson defeated Rep. Sue Bernard (R-Caribou) 52-48%, according to results from the Associated Press.
In late October, the University of Virginia Center for Politics identified Maine as “one of the GOP’s primary opportunities for a legislative takeover.” The center said Maine had two of only seven legislative chambers nationwide rated as toss-ups.
And while Democratic control of the House, Senate and governor’s office would seem to clear the way for Democratic priorities, Mills has been more moderate than lawmakers on some issues.
She vetoed 38 bills in her first term, 33 of which were sponsored by fellow Democrats.
She broke with her party on tribal sovereignty, a years-long battle by Maine’s Indigenous tribes seeking to gain rights similar to those granted to tribes in other states. While a majority of Democrats supported it, Mills raised concerns and brokered a separate deal with the tribes that gave them the rights to run a potentially lucrative online sports betting business.
She also spiked a Democrat-sponsored bill calling for a citizen vote on the creation of a consumer-owned utility in Maine to replace Central Maine Power and Versant Power. Groups behind the effort recently turned in signatures in hopes of putting the issue before voters next November.
On Tuesday, Mills defeated former Gov. Paul LePage 56-42%, with 2% going to independent Sam Hunkler, according to unofficial results.
In her victory speech, Mills acknowledged the high price of food, gas and heating oil and pledged to call the Legislature back into session in December to pass a bill to “get Maine people through the coming winter with safety.”
She also extended an olive branch to Republicans disappointed with Tuesday’s election results.
“Our nation has been terribly divided, but I don’t think Maine has to be,” she said to cheering supporters. “The bonds of affection between us have worn thin in some places, but they are not severed. To those who did not vote for me, I say to you, I will do all I can to improve your life and your livelihood here in the state we both love so much.”