Harpswell voters gave a strong endorsement for the construction of a $2 million boat launch at George J. Mitchell Field, rejected a proposal to allow a solar farm on the same property, and backed Democratic candidates for federal, state and county offices on Election Day.
The vote to authorize the town to borrow up to $1,150,500 toward the cost of the boat ramp was 2,349 to 1,258. The town plans to cover the remainder of the cost with $492,250 in local funds set aside for the project and $357,250 in state grants.
The vote to deny the Harpswell Select Board authorization to lease up to 5 acres of Mitchell Field to a solar developer for up to 25 years was 2,344 to 1,393. The Select Board had recommended that residents vote down the proposal, citing low revenue potential and an apparent lack of community support.
Three more questions on the town ballot cruised to approval: amendments to the shellfish ordinance, 2,475 to 876; the use of nearly $70,000 in federal pandemic relief funds to buy equipment for emergency services, 3,041 to 701; and authorization to accept and distribute state funds to repair damage to the working waterfront from January’s storms, 3,274 to 462.
For the Maine House of Representatives, Harpswell supported incumbent Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, with 2,296 votes to 1,512 for challenger Sean Hall, R-Harpswell. The district also includes northeast Brunswick. With results from Brunswick, Golek secured a second two-year term with 60.1% of the vote.
Golek expressed gratitude to voters, her opponent, volunteers, and her family.
“I humbly thank you for entrusting me with the honor of representing you once again in the Legislature,” she said in an email. “Your vote of support is a profound affirmation of my commitment to serving our community and advocating for the betterment of our district.”
For Maine Senate, Harpswell favored two-term incumbent Sen. Matthea “Mattie” Daughtry, D-Brunswick, with 2,228 votes to 1,473 for challenger Michael Lawler, R-Brunswick. Across the district, Daughtry cruised to reelection with 68.6% of the vote, according to the Bangor Daily News.
In the presidential election, Harpswell voters cast 2,351 ballots for Vice President Kamala Harris to 1,458 for former President Donald Trump, with 29 votes for Green Independent candidate Jill Stein, 13 for Libertarian Chase Oliver, and 4 for Justice for All candidate Cornel West.
Harris won three of Maine’s four electoral votes, carrying the 1st Congressional District and the state as a whole. But Trump won the 2nd Congressional District and the election, taking both the Electoral College and the popular vote.
For U.S. Senate, Harpswell threw its support to incumbent U.S. Sen. Angus King with 2,392 votes to 1,132 for Republican challenger Demi Kouzounas, 281 for Democrat David Costello, and 43 for independent Jason Cherry.
King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, easily won a third six-year term with 52.1% of the vote in the four-way race.
For the U.S. House of Representatives, Harpswell backed incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, with 2,308 votes. Republican challenger Ronald Russell garnered 1,386, while independent Ethan Alcorn collected 116.
Pingree commanded 58.9% of the vote to secure a ninth two-year term.
For Cumberland County register of probate, Harpswell sided with Democratic incumbent Susan Schwartz with 2,147 votes to 1,541 for Republican challenger Jerry DeWitt.
On the state referendum ballot, Harpswell came down on the yes side of each question — albeit just barely when it came to swapping out the state flag.
Tallies were 3,025 to 722 for a $5,000 limit on donations to political action committees, 2,354 to 1,401 for a $25 million bond for research and development, 2,275 to 1,489 for a $10 million bond to restore historic buildings, 2,227 to 1,511 for a $30 million bond for recreational trails, and 1,929 to 1,857 for the replacement of the state’s current flag with the 1909 version known as the Pine Tree Flag.
All state referendum questions passed except for the initiative to replace the flag, which garnered just 44.5% of the vote.
Of Harpswell’s 4,812 registered voters, 81.5% or 3,921 cast ballots in the election — 2,258 absentee and 1,663 in person.
