AUGUSTA — Maine House and Senate Democrats stuck by Attorney General Aaron Frey and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on Wednesday, approving their bids to retain their seats for another two years.

Republicans challenged Frey and Bellows by nominating their own picks but failed to overcome the Democratic majority.

And in one area of agreement, Democrats and Republicans backed former Rep. Joe Perry (D-Bangor) for the position of state treasurer.

The selection of the three constitutional officers capped a busy day at the State House in which new members were sworn-in and chose new leaders. 

In the race for attorney general, Republicans nominated former Attorney General William Schneider of Durham, who served under former Gov. Paul LePage. Schneider is a West Point graduate, former state legislator, District Court judge and former anti-terrorism coordinator for the U.S. Justice Department.

Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Presque Isle) said Schneider “is regarded with the utmost integrity” in political circles.

“You have a choice to make,” Stewart said in addressing the joint convention. “Do you follow someone because the letter next to their name or someone who is most qualified?”

But Rep. Amy Kuhn (D-Falmouth) said Frey has had a successful six years as attorney general, helping to bring millions to Maine to fight the opioid crisis, taking on companies that produce the chemicals known as PFAS and advancing efforts toward tribal sovereignty. 

His background also includes 10 years in private practice as an attorney and six years in the Legislature.

“Attorney General Frey arrives at this moment with years of experience on the job, a strong team here in Maine and a network of attorneys general across the country all ready to do the work,” she said.

All House and Senate members present voted by secret ballot and Frey was declared the winner. The vote totals were not released.

In the race for Secretary of State, Republicans nominated former longtime public servant Sawin Millett of Waterford, a former state lawmaker and state budget expert who served in the administrations of four governors. 

“Following years of partisan division and acrimony, Maine people deserve a secretary of state who embodies impeccable ethics and is held in the highest regard for their trustworthiness and transparency,” said House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) during his nominating speech.

Earlier this year, Republicans expressed outrage at Bellows for her decision to rule that President-elect Donald Trump’s name should not appear on the March primary ballot because she believed he violated the Constitution during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In the end, Trump’s name did appear on Republican primary ballots following a court decision in a similar case in Colorado.

Faulkingham did not mention the Trump decision in his speech and neither did Democrats supportive of her continued tenure as secretary of state. 

In nominating Bellows, Rep. Holly Stover (D-Boothbay), described her as innovative and responsive.

“She works tirelessly and brings extraordinary expertise to every aspect of her job,” she said.

And like the AG vote, the legislators cast secret ballots and after a tally by members of both parties, Bellows was declared the winner.