Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, and other members of the Legislature listen to Julia Gagnon perform at the State House Wednesday morning for the opening of the 132nd session. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills administered the oath of office Wednesday morning to 186 lawmakers elected last month to the 132nd Legislature, kicking off the final two-year session of her administration.

The new Legislature then turned its attention to electing the state’s three constitutional officers and state auditor.

Aaron Frey, who faced an unsuccessful Democratic challenge, and Shenna Bellows, who was unopposed in her party, officially won reelection to their fourth terms as attorney general and secretary of state, respectively, in votes cast by secret ballot.

Rep. Joe Perry, D-Bangor, was selected to replace Henry Beck, who did not seek a fourth term, as treasurer, and Matt Dunlap was reelected state auditor.

All of the officers are Democrats, who once again control a majority of the seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Frey was challenged by Maeghan Maloney, the district attorney for Somerset and Kennebec counties, while Perry was challenged by outgoing House Majority Leader Mo Terry. During a meeting of incoming Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday, the party coalesced around Frey and Perry in an unofficial secret ballot vote.

Frey and Bellows overcame challenges Wednesday from Republicans, who nominated former Attorney General William Schneider, who served as Maine’s top law enforcement official from 2010 until 2013, as attorney general, and former lawmaker H. Sawin Millett, Jr. of Waterford, as secretary of state.

Maine is among a handful of states that do not hold statewide general elections for so-called “constitutional officers.” The positions, which include the attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer, are chosen by the Maine Legislature, and they typically are filled by the party in power.

Mills welcomed the new lawmakers with brief remarks before administering the oath of office.

Gov. Janet Mills flashes the thumbs up after administering the oath of office at the House of Representatives on Wednesday morning. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

“It’s an exciting day for all of us and the state of Maine,” Mills said.

Mills addressed incoming lawmakers on Tuesday evening at a pre-legislative conference reception and banquet at the Augusta Civic Center, where lawmakers were served a buffet of roast prime rib, cranberry brie chicken, gluten-free vegan ratatouille and oven roasted red bliss potatoes.

Mills noted the breadth of experience of the incoming Legislature, whose members’ ages range from 25 to 79  and professions range from farmers and fishermen to lawyers and real estate agents.

She noted that the Senate has three Black members for the first time, including the first Black person in leadership of that chamber. Sen. Jill Duson, a Portland Democrat, was named the assistant Senate majority leader. And the House, she noted, includes its first Japanese American and three Somali American members.

Of the 186 lawmakers, 36 are new to the process. Mills encouraged them to “get out of your comfort zone.”

“Go out of your way to get to know members from different parties and different regions of the state from your own,” Mills said, according to her prepared remarks.

Mills said that lawmakers’ “first test” will be the budget, once again promising that it would be “lean” and focused on preserving existing programs “to the greatest extent possible” amid flattening revenues.

“Now, the Legislature has taken my previous budget proposals and then put its own mark on them, adding its own measures. Many of those measures were important, but they did add to the state budget,” she said. “As you consider my budget proposal, and other legislation before you, I urge you to keep the long-term fiscal stability of our state as a high priority.”

Lawmakers formally elected Rep. Ryan Fecteau, D-Portland, as House speaker and Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, as Senate president.

In a 10-minute speech, Fecteau called for bipartisanship and vowed to reach across the aisle to find compromises on the biggest issues facing Mainers, namely the high cost of living, the lack of affordable housing, and the need for strong public education and child care systems.

But Fecteau, who faced a symbolic challenge from House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, said Democrats will “stand firm” on protecting civil rights, fundamental freedoms and recognizing the dignity of every person in the state.

”On these values there is no compromise,” Fecteau said with his husband seated by his side. “These are not matters of partisan debate. They are the foundation of who we are as people and as a nation.”

Senate president Mattie Daughtry laughs as her mother, Hallie Daughtry of Brunswick, handles the gavel at the State House on Wednesday. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

Democrats hold 76 seats in the House, while Republicans hold 73 three. Two lawmakers are independents who defeated Republican candidates.

Daughtry was selected as Senate president with just one ballot cast as the Senate used a procedural move indicating unanimous support that also sped up the voting process.

In a 15-minute floor speech, Daughtry said her biggest goal is to leave the Legislature better than she found it. “I will be devoted to making the Maine Senate effective, respectful, inclusive and accessible,” she said.

“Most importantly, I want to make sure everyone who walks into this chamber and into this Legislature knows this place is for them,” Daughtry said. “This is a citizens’ Legislature.”

Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart, R- Presque Isle, spoke in support of Daughtry’s nomination, saying “it is incumbent upon us in the minority to continue to strive for collaboration” to find solutions for high energy costs, rising property taxes and the state budget, while continuing to “focus on protecting Maine’s children.”

Democrats control 20 seats in the Senate, while Republicans hold 15.

Staff Writer Rachel Ohm contributed to this story.