Staff Writer
Another election year is behind us and results have been tallied, with voters determining a number of issues at the federal, state and local levels.
In Aroostook County, Barack Obama was the voters’ choice as the next president of the United States, winning 53.75 percent of votes cast. McCain finished second, taking 44.2 percent of the votes; Ralph Nader took 1.62 percent; and Cynthia McKinney rounded out the field with .44 percent. Aroostook citizens showed their support for county native Susan Collins. Collins, the Republican incumbent, retained her U.S. Senate seat here by a margin of 72.85 percent to Democrat Thomas Allen’s 27.15 percent.
The same held true for incumbent Michael H. Michaud, who retained his seat as U.S. representative, 2nd District. Michaud, a Democrat, took 72.39 percent of the votes in Aroostook, to Republican John Frary’s 27.61 percent.
Several House District seats were up for grabs in Aroostook this year.
In House Distict 5, Democrat Michael Willette won the support of voters, defeating his opponent, Republican Elizabeth Michaud, by a margin of 55.72 percent to 44.28 percent.
The seat in House District 6 went to Republican Tyler Clark, who took 57.15 percent of the vote, compared to Democrat Kyle Green’s 32.85 percent.
Democrat Patricia Sutherland retained her seat in House District 7, picking up 53.52 percent of the vote, compared to Republican Zachary Smith’s 46.48 percent.
Two seats were filled in the State Senate during this year’s election.
Republican Roger Sherman took the seat in Senate District 34 by 51.46 percent, with 48.54 percent of the vote going to his opponent, Democrat Jacqueline Lundeen.
Democrat Troy Jackson retained his seat in Senate District 35, winning by a margin of 64.57 percent to 35.43 percent for Republican Daniel Deveau.
Citizens in Aroostook made their opinions known, voting on three referendum/bond issues.
Question 1 saw voters support the repeal of a beverage tax by a margin of 61.52 in favor, with 38.48 percent voting to keep the tax in place. Money from the tax would have gone to fund the state’s Dirigo Health program for uninsured/underinsured citizens.
Question 2 found voters opposing the creation of an Oxford County casino. Although the casino would have created a number of jobs, citizens opted to nix the idea, turning the measure down by a margin of 56.46 to 43.54 percent.
Voters supported Question 3, approving the funding of drinking water programs by a margin of 52.66 to 47.34 percent.
In all three instances, county voters thought much like their counterparts elsewhere in the state, with the statewide tally matching Aroostook voters’ decisions. Question 1 saw the repeal of the tax, Question 2’s casino was a no-go statewide, with voters supporting Question 3’s use of funds for drinking water programs.
Locally, school consolidation was opposed by a wide margin by voters in SAD 1 and Ashland.
Incumbents Michael Cote and Jennifer Hammond ran unopposed and won their seats on the Ashland School Board.
In Presque Isle, Robert J. Cawley, unopposed, picked up a three-year seat on the SAD 1 School Board in Section 5; Lori G. Kenneson, unopposed, landed a three-year term in Section 9; and Amy M. Billings, unopposed, won a one-year term in Section 14.
Also on the ballot in Presque Isle, voters returned incumbent James P. Dunleavy to his position as Judge of Probate. Paul Underwood ran unopposed and won for County Commissioner in District 2. Two PResque Isle City Council seats were also filled. Incumbents Walter J. Elish and Jennifer Trombley, running unopposed, retained their seats for a four-year term on the Council.
Fort Fairfield voters returned incumbent Ruel W. Flannery to his position on the Town Council for a three-year term. Four individuals competed for three vacancies on the SAD 20 Board, including: Megan R. Barnes, Scott A. Clark, Shawn C. Murchison and Richard D. Robles. Voters selected Barnes, Clark and Murchison to fill the seats.
A vacancy on the Mapleton Board of Selectmen was up for grabs, with Scott Smith and Adam Stoutamyer competing for the seat. Voters selected Smith to fill the position. And in Easton, voters passed the liquor referendum, allowing the sale of hard liquor in their community.
Statistical date obtained from Bangor Daily News Campaign 2008 Voting Results at bangordailynews.com.
