Lois Snowe-Mello

The results in the state Senate race between Deborah Simpson (D-Auburn) and Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland) will stand following a recount today.

Last week Simpson beat Snowe-Mello by 102 votes. After the recount, the final total was 10,058 for Simpson and 9,954 for Snowe-Mello, which increased Simpson’s margin by two votes.

Dan Billings, attorney for Snowe-Mello, said his client has accepted the results.

AUGUSTA -- There will be recounts in seven of last week’s races.

In addition to the three state Senate and two local races reported earlier, there will be recounts in two House races.

Ruth-Marie Spellman (D-Brewer) has requested a recount in House District 21, where she lost the race for the open seat to Michael Celli (R-Brewer) by 69 votes.

Rep. Michael Vaughan (R-Durham) has requested a recount in H.D. 105, where he lost to David Van Wie (D-New Gloucester) by 85 votes.

Those that have been scheduled are as follows:

AUGUSTA -- There will be recounts in three state Senate races and one county commission race, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

In Senate District 2, Richard Burns (D-Berwick) has requested a recount. Burns lost to incumbent Sen. Richard Nass (R-Acton) by 385 votes.

In Senate District 15, incumbent Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland) has requested a recount. She lost to challenger Deborah Simpson (D-Auburn) by 102 votes.

The next state Senate will likely stand at 20-15 with the Democrats in the majority, according to preliminary results.

Democrats managed to unseat two Republicans. Deborah Simpson (D-Auburn) beat Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland), and Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) beat Sen. Paula Benoit (R-Phippsburg).

Sources say there will likely be recounts in both races.

In addition the Democrats held strong in the 18 seats they currently hold.

The Democrats will maintain their majority in the state Senate, and possibly strengthen their numbers.

With 79 percent of the vote counted, the worst case scenario for them is that they will maintain 18 seats in the 35-seat body, according to preliminary numbers.

Five seats remain too close to call, all of which are current Republican seats.

Deborah Simpson (D-Auburn) has defeated Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland) in Senate District 15.

According to preliminary results, she won by 102 votes.

This will likely mean the Republicans will be unable to get the majority in the state Senate.

Simpson said she was able to pull off the victory because of votes in her hometown, Auburn, the largest part of the district.

“People have told me that I have a record of accomplishments,” she said.

She also attributed her victory to momentum from Barack Obama’s campaign.

Editor’s note: PolitickerME.com has attempted to break down the state Senate races. Click here for a comprehensive overview, and on the following links for a closer look at the three tossup races – Senate District 1, Senate District 15 and Senate District 22.

With gaps in the U.S. House and Senate races widening, who controls the Maine Senate could be the biggest story coming out of Election Day when it comes to local races.

Currently the body stands at 18 Democrats and 17 Republicans. The GOP hopes to take control in the next Legislature, but Democrats only see themselves strengthening their numbers.

As follows is a breakdown of all 35 state Senate races. In addition, we have a more thorough analysis of the key races in Districts 1, 15 and 22. The information was compiled by looking at candidate and electoral histories, voter registration numbers, and – most importantly – through conversations with those close to the process.

The final breakdown:

• 9 races are rated SAFE DEMOCRAT
• 7 races are rated LIKELY DEMOCRAT
• 1 race is rated LEANS DEMOCRAT
• 3 races are rated TOSSUP
• 4 races are rated LEANS REPUBLICAN
• 5 races are rated LIKELY REPUBLICAN
• 6 races are rated SAFE REPUBLICAN

For the Republicans to gain the majority, they would need to win all three “tossup” races. Senate District 1 is their best chance to oust a Democratic incumbent. In Senate District 15, their Republican incumbent is at risk. In Senate District 22, their Republican incumbent is termed out, so they need to defend the open seat.

On both sides there are pickup opportunities that are a bit more of a stretch.

PolitickerME.com predictions are just that – predictions. And the one thing we can guarantee is that at least somewhere on this list we will be proven very, very wrong.

Senate District 1 – Tossup:

Editor’s note: PolitickerME.com has attempted to break down the state Senate races. Click here for a comprehensive overview, and on the following links for a closer look at the three tossup races – Senate District 1, Senate District 15 and Senate District 22.

Senate District 15

Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland) vs. Deborah Simpson (D-Auburn)

PolitickerME.com rating: Tossup

The candidates:

With two days to go before Election Day, outside groups have spent $606,961 in independent expenditures on Maine legislative races.

The biggest spenders are the Democratic and Republican parties and their respective campaign committees.

Democrats have spent $351,665 between the Maine Democratic Party, the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee and the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Republicans have spent $161,698 between the Maine Republican Party, the House Republican Fund and the Maine Senate Republican Committee.

Other outside groups spending more than $1,000 are:

Spending in legislative races: 

On the WLOB News Talk radio show on Wednesday, Auburn Mayor John Jenkins expressed his support for the re-election of State Senator Lois Snowe-Mello.