In the two competitive primaries on the ballot Tuesday, June 14, Harpswell Republicans backed Stephen Warner “Bubba” Davis for the Maine House District 99 nomination with 91.3% of the vote, while Harpswell Democrats supported Jacqueline Anne “Jackie” Sartoris for the Cumberland County district attorney nomination with 87.65% of the vote.
Davis, of Cundy’s Harbor, received 210 votes in Harpswell to 20 for Michael J. Lawler, of Brunswick. The district also includes east Brunswick. Lawler fared better there, with a 55-47 edge. Overall, Davis secured the nomination with 77.41% of the vote.
Sartoris, of Brunswick, received 433 votes in Harpswell to 61 for incumbent District Attorney Jonathan T. Sahrbeck, of Cape Elizabeth. At 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, Sartoris had collected 65.34% of the vote with 53 of 54 precincts reporting, according to the Portland Press Herald. Sartoris’ primary win effectively hands her the race, as Republicans did not field a candidate.
In uncontested primaries, Harpswell Democrats supported the following candidates: Gov. Janet T. Mills, 494 votes; U.S. Rep. Chellie M. Pingree, 489 votes; state Sen. Matthea Elisabeth “Mattie” Daughtry, 481 votes; House District 99 candidate Cheryl Golek, 439 votes; Cumberland County Judge of Probate Paul Aranson, 438 votes; Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Jay Joyce, 457 votes; and Cumberland County Commissioner Stephen F. Gorden, 435 votes.
Harpswell Republicans supported the following unopposed candidates: for governor, Paul R. LePage, 224 votes; for 1st Congressional District, Edwin Thelander, 187 votes; and for Maine Senate District 23, Brogan P.K. Teel, 195 votes.
More than twice as many Democrats turned out as Republicans, with 509 Democrats voting in their primary to 243 in the GOP contest.
Also on Tuesday, Harpswell voters of all affiliations cast ballots in the Maine School Administrative District 75 budget validation referendum, an MSAD 75 bond issue and a special town referendum.
MSAD 75’s budget for the 2022-23 school year passed 690-127. The $49.59 million budget is up 4.87% from the previous year. Harpswell taxpayers will contribute $9.24 million, an increase of 5.86%.
The MSAD 75 bond issue passed 675-144. Of the $9 million bond, $7.25 million will go toward renovations at Mt. Ararat Middle School. The balance of $1.75 million will fund paving across the district, including work at Harpswell Community School.
The two-question town ballot asked if voters would authorize a multiple-year contract for emergency communication services and a deed transfer releasing a 109-year-old tax foreclosure on a Bailey Island property. The former passed 767-46, the latter 704-92.
