SOUTH PORTLAND — The road from the June primaries to the Nov. 6 general election has taken several twists in local legislative races.

In Maine Senate District 7, comprised of South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and the eastern portion of Scarborough, Republican Gary Crosby has dropped out of the race in favor of Mike Wallace.

Both men are from South Portland. Crosby, a local businessman, said he considered himself a”placeholder” candidate in the primary season.

Wallace, who now works as a prep chef and has also worked in the information technology field, faces Democrat Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth in the Nov. 6 election for the seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Cynthia Dill.

Dill is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Wallace will also serve in the state GOP delegation supporting the presidential nomination of Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, at the Republican national convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 27-30.

To earn her party’s nomination, Millett defeated current Maine House District 124 Rep. Bryan Kaenrath.

Kaenrath will now seek a fourth two-year term in the House district representing western South Portland. He is opposed by Republican Kevin Battle, a former city police officer.

Kaenrath replaces Democrat Andrew Capone-Sprague on the ballot while Battle runs in place of Lindsay Douglas.

Two new candidates are also looking to unseat incumbent Democrat Terry Morrison in Maine House District 122. Morrison is seeking his third, two-year term in the district representing Knightville, Ferry Beach and Willard Square.

Independent Christopher Kessler is now on the ballot, and Republican Thomas Sarbanis has replaced Howard Farr, who lost to Morrison in 2010.

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

Copy the Story Link