Oxford Hills rejects 1, Hayes clings to seat

OXFORD HILLS — Oxford Hills voters firmly rejected Question 1 on the November 6 ballot, with 6,740 voters, or 53.54 percent, voting against same-sex marriage.

Harrison was the only town in Oxford Hills that voted for Question 1 with 746 "yes" votes  to 677 "no" votes.

Statewide, voters approved Question 1, winning 53 percent of the vote.

State Senate

James Hamper (R-Oxford), a current state representative, won his bid for a seat in the state senate, beating opponent Dennise Whitley (D-Norway) with more than 52 percent of the vote.

Senate District 13 covers Norway, Paris, Oxford, Otisfield and Harrison.

Senator John Patrick, (D-Rumford) won his seat by a large margin, claiming more than 57 percent of the vote. His two opponents, Harvey Calden (R-Jay) and Leonard Greaney (I-Rumford) split the ticket, receiving 28.05 and 14.75 percent, respectively.

State House

The contest between Terry Hayes (D-Buckfield) and Tim Turner (R-Buckfield) for District 94 covering Paris, Sumner, Hartford and Buckfield is so close it may result in a recount.

Contacted Wednesday morning, Hayes said The Bangor Daily News' data showing Turner winning the seat with only seven votes, was based on incorrect returns from Paris. 

Paris Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox confirmed Turner's win was reported incorrectly.

According to Knox, Hayes won 1,271 votes in Paris to Turner's 1,105, giving Hayes a total of 2,253 votes to Turner's 2,218.

Tom Winsor (R-Norway), the incumbent in District 95 pulled off a win against his challenger Mary Lou St. John (D-Norway) winning 1,899 votes, or 52 percent.

District 95 covers Norway, Greenwood, Waterford and West Paris.

Jeffrey Timberlake (R-Turner) squeaked by to win reelection to his seat in District 96, winning a little over 50 percent of the votes compared to 49 percent for his rival, Lawrence Sirois (D-Turner). District 96 covers Hebron, Turner and Minot.

Lisa Villa (D-Harrison) secured a firm victory against her opponent Roxy Hagerman (R-Bridgton), winning more than 55 percent of the votes in Bridgton, Harrison, Stow, Lovell and Sweden.

In District 100, representing Oxford, Mechanic Falls and Otisfield, Roger Jackson (R-Oxford) won easily against Colin O'Neil (D-Oxford), with more than 59 percent of the vote. He won nearly twice O'Neil's votes in their hometown of Oxford.

County Office

County Commissioners Steve Merrill and Dave Duguay were reelected for four-year terms.

In District 1, covering western and southern Oxford County, including Norway and Waterford, Merrill received more than 51 percent of votes cast, defeating his challenger Charleen Chase. The campaign was a re-run of a 2008 contest between the two candidates.

In District 3, covering northeastern Oxford County, Duguay won easily against his opponent Jane Rich, securing more than 68 percent of the vote.

Jennifer McPhee Dilworth was elected to the position of Register of Probate, securing 53 percent of the vote and defeating opponent Carol Gutekunst.

The Bangor Daily News provided election results for this story.