RUMFORD – With 14 towns and plantations reporting, incumbent Oxford County treasurer Mary Ann Prue held a lead of 6,095 votes to Republican challenger Norman Ferguson Jr.’s, 4,776 votes.

Prue, 68, a Democrat has served as Oxford County treasurer for 10 years. She retired as Rumford town clerk after serving 24 years.

Ferguson, 73, a former Oxford County commissioner and Republican state senator, was making a first-time run for county treasurer.

Prue maintained that she has the experience and expertise to continue in the position for another four-year term. The part-time position pays an annual salary of $11,461 in 2007.

During her tenure, she introduced in-house payroll work for the county’s 80 employees, which she said saved the county thousands of dollars.

Although much of the day-to-day paperwork is conducted by the deputy treasurer, the Oxford County treasurer holds the overall responsibility. She oversees the deputy clerk and a part-time payroll employee, deals with bankers to get the highest rate of interest on county funds, and spends a considerable amount of time on the telephone when she isn’t in the office. She also often confers with the county commissioners.

She is certified in the state as a town clerk and treasurer, has taken government accounting , public investment and cash management courses, and is a member of the County Treasurers Association.

Ferguson, of Hanover, served 26 years as an Oxford County commissioner and eight years as a state senator.