LEWISTON – Democratic Gov. John Baldacci was leading in early returns Tuesday, with most votes still uncounted.

CNN and MSNBC called the race for Baldacci at about 10:30 p.m., but The Associated Press had not.

With 21 percent of precincts reporting, Baldacci was leading with 39.6 percent of the vote.

Republican Chandler Woodcock stood in second place with 27.8 percent, followed by independent Barbara Merrill with 21 percent. Green Independent Pat LaMarche had 10.5 percent. Independent Phillip NaPier had 1 percent.

Baldacci carried Lewiston with 5,047 votes, or 41.8 percent. Woodcock finished second with 3,271 votes, or 27 percent. Merrill was third with 2,571 votes, or 21 percent, and LaMarche was fourth with 1,123 votes, or 9.3 percent. NaPier received 49 votes.

For much of the political season, Baldacci’s numbers have hovered around the 40 percent mark. A poll released on Monday pegged his support at 36 percent. If early returns hold, Baldacci could improve on those marks.

Three of the candidates made the Twin Cities part of their Election Day push.

Merrill made a campaign stop at Auburn Middle School just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, greeting voters and poll workers.

She was optimistic and said she had been met with great enthusiasm at stops around the state.

“I’m meeting a lot of people who said they are voting for me, or have already voted for me.”

Merrill started her day in Portland, campaigning in southern Maine before making her way to Gray and Auburn then swinging back toward the coast. Merrill finished her day in Lincolnville Beach, watching returns at the Whale’s Tooth Pub.

According to Merrill, in Scarborough the turnout was close to that of an election year.

“They were lined up,” she said.

In Auburn, Merrill made a point to greet poll workers as well as voters.

“They’re the ones who put in the time and make the system work,” she said.

Baldacci began his day in Presque Isle and made stops in Biddeford and Saco before coming to Montello Elementary School in Lewiston.

As a light rain began to fall, Baldacci greeted voters and shrugged off a small shiver.

“Things are going very well,” the governor said at about 2:30 p.m. “We’re getting a very good response.”

An unscientific sampling of voters at Montello appeared to back Baldacci up.

Florian Roy of Lewiston said he voted for Baldacci.

“He’s been very good for this area and for the state,” Roy said.

Doreen Traynor, whose husband is a firefighter in Lewiston, said she also supported the governor.

“I think he’s done a fine job in the last four years,” Traynor said.

For Susan Roux of Lewiston, it was Baldacci’s fiscal positions that carried the day.

“We had a big deficit and he managed to decrease it,” Roux said. “He’s done a good job.”

Independent Merrill was also drawing support.

“I work for a hospital and I don’t really like the way Gov. Baldacci has been handling the (MaineCare) payments to hospitals,” said Kim Beaule, who was also voting at Montello. “I voted for Barbara Merrill. I’m against TABOR, so I couldn’t vote for Woodcock.”

Rita LaFontaine also said she voted for Merrill.

“She’s independent,” LaFontaine said.

“The other two are not doing much for the state,” she said, referring to Baldacci and Woodcock.

“People are going out to vote and they’re going out in good numbers,” Baldacci said. “Whatever decision they make is going to be the right one.”

For Gail Richardson of Lewiston, it was a tough choice for governor that ultimately rested not on her first choice but her fear.

“I really wanted to vote for LaMarche,” she said. “But I was afraid it would help Woodcock or Merrill, and I didn’t want them to get in.”

Rena Farrington, of Danville Corner Road in Auburn, cast her vote for Barbara Merrill.

“I agree with what I’ve heard her say,” she said. “I was all ready to vote for Chandler Woodcock, but I don’t think he’s done a good job lately.”

Kirk Smith, 46, of 33 Maple Point, also cast his vote for Merrill.

“I like her ideas,” he said. “But mainly, I want to be sure we’re not stuck with the guy we’ve had.”

Jeannine Pelletier of Auburn said she was tired of Baldacci and isn’t ready for Woodcock.

“I voted for LaMarche, pretty much because I was voting against the guys,” she said. “I’m tired of both of them.”

Jodie Clark, who voted at the Lewiston Armory agreed.

“I voted for Baldacci,” Clark said. “I’m a very liberal person, but chose to support Baldacci because he’s done a good job so far on the whole.”

She considered a third-party candidate, but decided that would be “unwise in terms of not wanting to see Woodcock win.”

Candice Northrup of Auburn said she was sticking with Baldacci – and the rest of the Democratic ticket as well.

Kathy Daniels of Lewiston said she didn’t like Baldacci and voted for Woodcock, even though she disagrees with his position on abortion.

“Hopefully, we can get some relief on taxes,” Daniels said. “I don’t believe in all his beliefs. … I believe a woman has a right to make her own decisions.”

Woodcock began his day by voting and Farmington and finished it up at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn were he rallied his supporters as the election results started coming in.

Kathleen Rhoten of Oxford said she was mostly concerned with fiscal management in Augusta and that’s why she voted for Woodcock and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Dixfield resident Kim Wright said she voted all Republican.

“We need to change the government a little bit,” she said, adding that she voted for Chandler Woodcock and ‘yes’ on the taxpayer bill of rights question.

Harley Parlin, also a Dixfield resident, said he voted yes on the taxpayer question as well as for all Republicans.

Staff writers Bonnie Washuk and Scott Taylor contributed to this report.