Scott Harriman’s win in Lewiston’s special election Tuesday allowed Democrats to preserve a slight majority in the Maine House of Representatives and claim a win in a race that was heavily targeted by both parties.

For Republicans, however, the tight margin of victory amid low turnout gives them hope for a better outcome in November.

Harriman, a city councilor, defeated Lewiston School Committee member Janet Beaudoin 572-503 in the special election for the District 94 seat, according to results from the Lewiston city clerk.

About 19% of the historically Democratic district voted in the election, which drew outside attention due to its potential impact on the balance of power in Augusta and its reflection of how voters are feeling about the parties heading into the 2026 election cycle. 

The race filled the remainder of former Rep. Kristen Cloutier’s term representing parts of Lewiston’s Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5, which ends in November. Cloutier resigned in October to become chief of staff for Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry.

Harriman’s election means Democrats preserve a slim 75-72 majority in the House, with a special election in House District 29 in Penobscot County scheduled for June.

Democrats were quick to attribute Harriman’s victory to a movement that has seen the party win key elections across the country since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. 

Republicans said the results, which were closer than previous races in the district, show that the party is making gains in Lewiston.

“Janet Beaudoin deserves a ton of credit for her work and the quality of race she ran, and just simply her willingness to step up and fight for her district and city,” Jason Savage, executive director of the Maine Republican Party, said in a Facebook post.

‘EAGER FOR EARLY SIGNALS’

Political analysts caution against drawing sweeping conclusions from off-cycle races.

James Melcher, a political science professor at the University of Maine at Farmington, said results from low-turnout races are better seen as a measure of party and campaign organization.

“I think, in general, the media and parties alike tend to read too much into special elections like this, except in cases where there is a very large swing from one party to another,” Melcher said. “I don’t see this race as a harbinger of big shifts statewide in legislative elections.”

“Special elections during a midterm cycle can take on outsized symbolic importance because both parties are eager for early signals,” said Rob Glover, associate professor of political science and honors at the University of Maine.

But those races don’t often reflect real changes in how the public is feeling, he said.

“Turnout in special elections represents a very small and highly self-selected slice of the electorate,” Glover said. “These races tend to tell us more about which party was better able to mobilize reliable voters for an election many folks would sit out, than about broader shifts in public opinion heading into the midterms.”

Context matters too, he said. Cloutier was the incumbent in the last election, with both name recognition and legislative experience.

“That’s a very different candidate profile than an open-seat race, so the narrower margin shouldn’t automatically be interpreted as a broader erosion of Democratic support,” Glover said.

NATIONAL ATTENTION

As the only election on the calendar, the race in Lewiston got widespread attention.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and former Gov. Paul LePage, now a candidate for Congress, both endorsed Beaudoin, while the Democratic National Committee supported Harriman’s campaign, with Chair Ken Martin becoming directly involved with canvassing in mid-February.

Upon Harriman’s victory, the DNC issued a news release congratulating the representative-elect.

“Scott Harriman ran a tremendous campaign that was laser-focused on delivering real solutions that will drive Maine forward,” Martin said.

Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline issued statements Wednesday praising Harriman’s victory as a win for the people of Lewiston.

“Scott’s victory represents a repudiation of fear-based politics and division,” Sheline said. “The people of Lewiston care deeply for one another and recognize that all residents are partners in success for our city. That sense of civic community is what voters took to the polls.”

REMATCH IN NOVEMBER?

Harriman thanked voters and campaign volunteers.

“I want to thank everyone who came out to vote as well as all the people who helped out with my campaign,” Harriman said in a statement. “This was truly a team effort. I’m honored by everyone who put their trust in me to represent them in Augusta.”

Buoyed by the narrow loss, Beaudoin promised to run again when the seat is on the ballot in November.

“Losing by just 68 votes in a district that typically leans heavily Democratic is no small feat, it’s a sign of real momentum and growing support for change,” Beaudoin said in a statement. “Last night wasn’t the end of anything. It was the start of something bigger. The real race is in November, and I’m not going anywhere.

“Over the next few months,” she said, “I’ll be continuing to connect with neighbors, listen to their concerns, and work to build the kind of representation our community deserves. The energy we built in this special election is just the beginning.”