State House race ratings: Somerset County

By Jessica Alaimo, PolitickerME.com Reporter

PolitickerME.com has evaluated all 151 state House ratings by looking at the candidates, their histories and past results. We also spoke with people close to the process.

Click on the links for a county-by-county assessment:

Click here for an overall evaluation.

SOMERSET COUNTY:

HD 24 – Safe Republican: Incumbent Douglas Thomas (R-Ripley) won his second term solidly 1,995-1,186 in 2006, and it is unlikely that challenger Tammy Lockhart (D-Dexter) will be able to take this seat from him.

HD 28 – Safe Republican: Incumbent Dean Cray (R-Palmyra) won his first term 2,116-1,465 in 2006, and will likely defeat challenger Pamela Hitchcock (D-Canaan) easily this year.

HD 29 – Safe Republican: Incumbent Stacey Fitts (R-Pittsfield) won his second term 1,827-1,200 in 2006, and should have no problem beating challenger Valory Slymon (D-Pittsfield) this time around.

HD 84 – Likely Democrat: Incumbent Edward Finch (D-Fairfield) is running for his third term against Miles Ranger (R-Fairfield). While Finch won this seat by less than 100 votes in 2006, enrollment favors him this time around, and he holds the advantage of being a third-term incumbent.

HD 85 – Leans Republican: Incumbent Donna Finley (R-Skowhegan) survived a tough race in 2006, winning 1,741 to 1,406. This year she faces another tough challenger, Jeffery McCabe (D-Skowhegan) but has the advantage of one term under her belt.

HD 86 – Leans Republican: Incumbent Phillip Curtis (R-Madison) won this seat by less than 100 votes in 2006. He faces a challenge from Kathleen Ouillette (D-Madison). While Curtis holds the advantage of being the incumbent, with enough effort by the Democrats this seat could change hands.

HD 88 – Likely Republican: Incumbent Wright Pinkham (R-Lexington Twp.) won his second term by 360 votes in 2006, a close-but-not-too-close margin. Garrison Cupples (D-New Portland) has an uphill battle in this race, and the seat will likely remain in Republican hands.

JESSICA ALAIMO is a PolitickerME.com Reporter and can be reached via email at jessica.alaimo@politickerme.com.