Democratic incumbent Helen Rankin won the House District 97 seat over retired school superintendent George Cunningham. Rankin received 2,318 votes to Cunningham’s 1,974.

Cunningham of Fryeburg campaigned on a promise to “embrace the regulatory reforms of the last Legislature, particularly LD 1, to facilitate business growth and development.” He also pledged to reform welfare spending and support “the concept of exploring alternative energy sources in Maine.”

Rankin of Hiram, who has served four years in the Legislature, campaigned on the pledge to ensure “our citizens are educated and trained to meet the needs of new technological businesses.” To do that, she said, Maine has to support educational institutions and small businesses and address its energy costs.

Both were Clean Election candidates.