AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine Democrats have widened their majority in the Maine House by winning three out of five seats in special elections.

Democrat Mike Carey beat Republican David Hughes in District 72, which includes part of Lewiston. Democrat Patricia Jones beat Republican Clyde Dyar in District 83, which includes Belgrade and Vienna.

And Democrat Sheryl Briggs beat Republican Katherine Harvey in District 93, which includes Dixfield, Mexico and Peru.

Republican Ralph Sarty Jr. beat Democrat Kate Smith in District 99, which includes Baldwin, Cornish and Sebago. And Republican Pete Johnson won a three-way race in District 27, which includes the towns of Brownville, Greenville and Monson.

The five special elections resulted from three resignations and two deaths. Three of the seats had been held by Republicans, two by Democrats. Democrats now hold 90 seats and Republicans hold 59 seats, while two seats are held by independents.

AP-ES-11-07-07 0815EST


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