PORTLAND — Ballots are set for the June 14 primary elections, including four contested races for seats in the Legislature.

Democrats will square off in primary elections for nominations in state Senate Districts 27 and 28, and House Districts 39 and 40.

Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, cannot seek a fifth consecutive term in District 27 because of state term limits laws. In Senate District 28, Sen. Anne Haskell, D-Portland, decided not to seek a third term.

The Democratic primary race for Alfond’s seat, which represents the Portland peninsula, Casco Bay islands and extends north and west along Forest and Allen avenues, will be contested by state Reps. Diane Russell and Ben Chipman, and Dr. Charles Radis of Peaks Island.

Term limits laws prevent Russell from seeking a fifth term in House District 39. Chipman is completing his third term in House District 40. He won those elections as an independent, then enrolled as a Democrat last summer.

City Councilor Jon Hinck had planned to run for the seat, but missed the March 15 deadline to file nomination papers.

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Republican Mark Lockman and Seth Baker of the Green Independent Party are unopposed in their primaries. Lockman ran unsuccessfully for the House District 40 seat in 2014.

In Senate District 28, City Councilor Jill Duson, House District 43 Rep. Mark Dion, and former Rep. Ann Peoples of Westbrook will contest for the Democratic nomination. The only Republican to file is Karen Usher of Westbrook.

Senate District 28 covers the western section of Portland and portions of Westbrook.

In House District 39, representing Munjoy Hill, the Old Port, and Casco Bay islands, Democrats Andrew Edwards and Peaks Island resident Michael Sylvester hope to replace Russell. Republican Peter Doyle, who ran unsuccessfully against Alfond in 2014, is unopposed.

In House District 40, covering the Bayside and Parkside neighborhoods and the area near the University of Southern Maine, Democrats Herb Adams, Anne Kellar and Rachel Talbot Ross want to replace Chipman.

Adams has held the seat, but was twice defeated by Chipman. Talbot Ross is the head of the city chapter of the NAACP and formerly directed the city office of Equal Opportunity and Multicultural Affairs.

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Republican Carol Taylor and Green Independent Russell Hoskins are unopposed in their party primaries.

The remaining six primaries for House seats are uncontested, but some feature new faces.

In House District 36, Democratic Rep. Denise Harlow and Republican Dwight Glidden are on the ballot. Harlow is seeking her fourth term. The district extends from the Morrills Corner area of Forest and Allen avenues to the Westbrook boundary.

In House District 37, Rep. Richard Farnsworth, a Democrat, is seeking his third consecutive term in the district extending from Rosemont to the Portland Jetport and Stroudwater areas. Republican Donato Apon has filed to run against him.

The House District 38 race in the West End could be a rematch of 2014, with incumbent Democratic Rep. Matthew Moonen seeking his third term and Republican Thomas Loring opposing him.

The House District 41 race also looks to be a repeat of 2014, with incumbent Democratic Rep. Erik Jorgensen and Republican Dr. James Azzola unopposed in their primaries. Jorgensen is seeking his third term in the district covering the Deering neighborhoods and Libbytown.

In House District 42, covering north and west of Back Cove, Democratic Rep. Peter Stuckey cannot run because of terms limits. Seeking to replace him are Democrat Benjamin Collings and Republican Susan Abercrombie.

In House District 43, comprised of northern Portland and a portion of Falmouth, Republican Jeffrey Langholtz and Democrat Heather Sanborn are running to replace Dion.

David Harry can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or dharry@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidHarry8.


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