LIVERMORE FALLS – With only the town of Wayne reporting results late Tuesday for the House District 81 race, incumbent state Rep. L. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, was winning by a vote of 412-344 over challenger Peggy Dwyer, a Democrat from Livermore.

The district serves the towns of Leeds, Livermore, Livermore Falls and Wayne.

Knight, a retired banker, is finishing up his first term in the Legislature and seeking re-election to continue efforts to lower the tax burden and to tackle the high costs of health insurance.

If re-elected, he also wants to initiate and support legislation to promote economic growth to secure good jobs for Mainers and improve educational opportunities for young people and to provide them incentives to stay and live in this state.

“My top legislative goal would be to work across the aisle to achieve meaningful and comprehensive tax reform that is way over due in this state,” Knight said.

Dwyer, a farmer and senior services provider, is running because she thinks the district needs a stronger, more representative voice for working people.

“We need to ensure equitable access to health care for all of our citizens, ensure fair trade and fair wages, protect the environment, and strengthen the communities and local economies that sustain us,” Dwyer said.

She wants the next Legislature to honestly define its priorities, and then stay on task.

“I would start by restricting the scope and number of bills we consider until after we produce the results the public has demands in the priority areas of health care, tax reform and economic development,” she said.