JAY – Democrat Paul Gilbert, a retired state employee, swept all five towns in House District 87, topping Republican challenger Angela Courchesney of Jay, 3,044-1,751.

The district serves the towns of Chesterville, Jay, Mercer, New Sharon and Starks.

“I think the campaign went very well. It went as I planned it last winter, thanks to all the volunteers in District 87 towns and family support,” said Gilbert, of Jay. “I think it was a good clean race.”

Of Courchesney, Gilbert said, “We remain friends. I told her last night I made a friend here,” He said.

Gilbert retired as a jobs service manager from the Maine Department of Labor.

“I just thought it was a good fight and I wish him luck,” said Courchesney, a senior at University of Maine at Farmington who holds a part-time job.

“I’m going on and doing other things. I might run again in two years,” she said.