DIXFIELD – With most towns in state Senate District 14 reporting, incumbent Democrat Bruce Bryant of Dixfield was leading challengers Republican Rob Cameron, Rumford and Fourth Branch candidate Julia St. James by 8,067 to 6,049 for Cameron and 456 for St. James.

Bryant, a MeadWestvaco steam engineer, is seeking a second term. Prior to his narrow win over Rob Cameron in 2002 for a Senate seat, Bryant served three terms as a state representative.

Bryant has campaigned on a platform of better education, higher paying jobs and improved health care.

Cameron, an eight-year veteran of the state Legislature when he was termed out in 2000, focused on maintaining and improving the transportation infrastructure of rural Maine, with an emphasis on the necessity of an east-west highway.

St. James, making a first run for political office, wants less government in the lives of Mainers.

In Cameron’s hometown of Rumford, he received 1,458 to Bryant’s 1,774 and St. James’ 84. In Dixfield, Bryant received 851 votes to Cameron’s 445 and St. James’ 34. In the recent redistricting that included the Franklin County town of Jay, a heavily Democratic town, Bryant received 1,821 to Cameron’s 903.

Cameron took Bethel, Byron, Gilead, Greenwood, Hanover, Lincoln and Magalloway Plantations, Newry, Sumner and West Paris.