HARPSWELL — David I. Chipman, a former Harpswell selectmen and candidate for the state Senate, will be the Democratic candidate for the House District 64 seat.

Chipman defeated Lawrence R. Pye, a Phippsburg selectman, 679-540, in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Chipman will face Republican David Moser in November.

Chipman, who hopes to replace termed-out Democratic Rep. Leila Percy, grabbed votes from 56 percent of the 1,219 registered Democrats who cast ballots in Harpswell, West Bath and Phippsburg.

Pye had the strongest showing in his hometown of Phippsburg, where he captured 80 percent of the votes.

Fifty-six percent of West Bath’s 202 Democratic voters chose Chipman over Pye. Among Harpswell voters, 69 percent of registered Democrats cast ballots for Chipman.

Forty-four percent of Harpswell’s 4,121 registered voters participated in Tuesday’s election.

Among enrolled Democrats, gubernatorial hopeful Elizabeth Mitchell was the favorite among Harpswell voters, with 37 percent of the 760 votes. Steven Rowe was second with 24 percent, followed by Rosa Scarcelli (22 percent) and Patrick McGowan (14 percent).

Of the 578 Republicans who voted, 40 percent chose eventual GOP nominee Paul LePage. Les Otten was second with 22 percent, followed by Peter Mills (19 percent) and Steven Abbott (18 percent). The other GOP candidates were well off the pace.

The people’s veto of the new tax reform law was supported by 59 percent of Harpswell voters, 1049 to 740.

Harpswell voters also supported all four bond questions on the state ballot.

Steve Mistler can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 123 or smistler@theforecaster.net

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