State House race ratings: Washington County

By Jessica Alaimo, PolitickerME.com Reporter

In the month before the election, PolitickerME.com will take a brief look at all the state House and Senate races and let you know where they stand.

These ratings are based off 2006 results, the candidates’ histories, and conversations with those close to the process.

PolitickerME.com has the following lists available.

The rest, including a full analysis of state Senate races, are in the works.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

House District 30 – Safe Republican: Incumbent Howard McFadden (R-Dennysville) won easily in 2006, 2,133 to 1,407. He should have no problem beating Dennis Mahar (D-Pembroke).

H.D. 31 – Likely Democrat: Incumbent Anne Perry (D-Calais) narrowly won her third term in 2006 1,522 to 1,332 against Judith Alexander (R-Calais). Perry made a name for herself on the Health and Human Services Committee, leading the charge for improved health care in Washington County. That will help her this year, where she is facing a rematch with Alexander.

H.D. 32 – Tossup: Incumbent Ian Emery (R-Cutler) narrowly won his second term in 2006 1,670 to 1,617. He is not running again, and David Burns (R-Whiting) and Katherine Cassidy (D-Machias) are vying for the seat. Both are known in the community. Cassidy is a former Bangor Daily News reporter and worked at the University of Maine at Machias. Burns is a state trooper in the area. This race is anyone’s game.

H.D. 33 – Tossup: Every source PolitickerME.com has asked on this race has given us a different answer, from "safe Democrat" to "safe Republican". This only means it will be one to watch. Incumbent Joseph Tibbetts (R-Columbia) is leaving after one term, and Marie Emerson (D-Addison) and Dianne Tilton (R-Harrington) are competing for the seat. Emerson is known in the community for owning a blueberry farm. Tilton has been involved in economic development efforts in the community.

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