Democrats appear to have won a majority in the Maine Senate, preserving their control of the chamber for another two years.
The Maine Senate Democratic Campaign says Democrats held at least 19 of the 35 seats in the chamber, with others too close to call.
Heading into Tuesday, Democrats held a 22-12 majority with one vacancy. This time around, Republicans picked up seats in Aroostook and Kennebec counties and won the vacant seat as well.
“Amid a difficult night for Democrats across the country, Senate Democrats overcame tremendous odds, protecting the majority in the Maine Senate and on track to send every incumbent back to the chamber,” Maine Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) said in a statement.
Over in the House, it’s still too early to tell who will control the 151-seat chamber with results still coming in on Wednesday. Prior to the election, Democrats controlled the House with 79 seats, followed by 67 Republicans, two independents and three vacancies.
Most Senate races statewide were decided by comfortable margins. One exception is Senate District 15, a seat left open when Sen. Matt Pouliot (R-Augusta) decided not to run for reelection.
That set up a battle between Rep. Richard Bradstreet (R-Vassalboro) and Rep. Raegan LaRochelle (D-Augusta). In addition to Augusta and Vassalboro, the district covers Belgrade, China, Mount Vernon and Sidney.
Bradstreet leads LaRochelle 50.6% to 49.4%, according to unofficial results gathered by the Bangor Daily News.
Democrats say they are also not ready to call the Senate District 8 race, where incumbent Democratic Sen. Mike Tipping of Orono is leading Republican challenger Leo Kenney.
The new Legislature will be sworn in Dec. 4.