AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - Democrats in Augusta are crowing about their surprise victory in a special election for an empty state Senate seat.
On Tuesday Democrat Chris Johnson beat Republican Dana Dow by several hundred votes. The Senate seat covers all of Lincoln and part of Knox County, and had been a Republican seat for ten years.
This election pitted Rep. Dana Dow - who held the Senate seat himself at one time - against Johnson, who lost a race for the same Senate seat in 2010. This time, Johnson won all but four of the towns in the district. Like most special elections, voter turnout was significantly lower than in general elections,.
In Augusta, however, the local election has become something much bigger.
Democrats say it shows Maine people don't like the policies of Governor LePage and the Republican majority. Even Rep. Dow says he thinks his defeat is a result of unhappiness with the current administration. Johnson, the Senator-elect, says people told him during the campaign they want more focus in Augusta on creating jobs for Maine.
Even Republican leaders call the special election a "wake-up call".
Senator GOP leader Jon Courtney says Republicans need to do a better job of communicating their message and accomplishments to Maine citizens...especially in the months leading up to the November elections.
Chris Johnson is tentatively scheduled to be sworn in as a Senator on Thursday. Rep. Dana Dow will continue serving in the House of Representatives.
NEWS CENTER