“He’s a worthy opponent,” incumbent Democratic legislator Thomas Saviello said Tuesday of his District 90 challenger, Roger Lambert.

At 11:30 p.m., counts showed Saviello leading Lambert 1,904 to 1,419, but results from Lambert’s hometown of Strong, and those of nearby Phillips, had yet been reported.

Saviello took his hometown of Wilton gaining 1,431 against Lambert’s 836. Lambert, of Strong, eked by Saviello closer to home in Avon receiving 145 votes to Saviello’s 113, but had a better showing in New Vineyard, where he gained 270 versus Saviello’s 169.

Both candidates ran campaigns based on economic issues, though their ideas on improving the business climate in District 90 differed. District 90 includes Avon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple, Wilton and Freeman, Perkins and Washington Townships.

Saviello hopes to nurture business growth through the use of Pine Tree Zones and reducing the business tax burden.

“Eventually, I believe the whole state of Maine should be a Pine Tree Zone,” he said during his campaign.

Lambert’s answer to a poor economy was to propose paring the welfare system.

“Our welfare system is much too liberal and inviting and has set Maine up as a destination resort’ for those in our society to, in fact in many instances, move to Maine and partake,” said the master Maine guide from Strong.