BIDDEFORD — By an overwhelming majority, State Rep. Alan Casavant defeated Mayor Joanne Twomey and will be Biddeford’s next mayor. In his first bid for mayor on Tuesday, Casavant garnered 4,165 votes to Twomey’s 2,504. Incumbent Twomey was hoping to win a third term as mayor.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Casavant shortly after he learned the results at the North Dam Mill, where he and his supporters were celebrating Tuesday. “I’m humbled. The people didn’t speak, they shouted.”

Casavant is a retired teacher who taught for more than 30 years at Biddeford High School. He is currently serving his third term as a state representative and plans to continue serving in the legislature. Previously, he served on Biddeford City Council for nine terms, beginning in 1976.

Casavant said he believes he won because his message of bringing civility to city council meetings, having transparent decision-making in city government and working together with city staff and council members, even when there is disagreement, resonated with Biddeford voters.

Several of his supporters agreed with that assessment.

“The voters spoke loudly for civility and inclusivity,” said City Councilor Jim Emerson, who did not run for re-election.

“I wish I was staying,” said Councilor Patricia Boston, who also did not run for re-election. “Serving with Alan would be a totally different experience.”

“The silent majority spoke,” said Casavant supporter Randy Seaver.

The “wild card” in the mayoral election, said Casavant, was whether voters would be able to separate their vote for mayor from their support of the racino. Where Twomey championed the racino, Casavant was more wary and wanted more details of the plans before lending his support.

Fortunately for Casavant, voters did separate the two. He won despite Biddeford’s 4,137 to 2,684 vote in favor of Question 2 to allow racinos in Biddeford and Washington County ”“ even though statewide, Question 2 was voted down.

With the defeat of the racino, when Casavant takes office on Dec. 6, the number one item on his agenda is working on economic development and bringing jobs to the area, he said.

One of Casavant’s ideas is to work with Saco and market the twin cities as a single region, similar to Lewiston and Auburn. He said he wants to reach out to Saco’s new mayor-elect, Mark Johnston, and start that process immediately.

Another change Casavant would like to make is to get rid of Biddeford’s negative stereotype.

In his effort to paint Biddeford in a more positive light, said Casavant, he wants to sit down with Saco and Casella, the parent company of the Maine Energy Recovery Company incinerator in Biddeford’s downtown, which many blame for stalling the city’s revitalization efforts. Casavant said he would like to come up with a plan to get rid of the facility or at least the trash-processing portion of its function.

Mayor Twomey declined to comment to the Journal Tribune when contacted by telephone.

In comments to a television crew shortly after she learned of her loss, she blamed anti-racino opponents in part for the outcome of the mayoral race.

“My opponent was bought and paid for by Casinos No!” said Twomey, who worked in close alliance with the pro-racino camp. She added, “I love the people here, and I still have a lot of people who love me. It hurts. I’m not gonna lie.”

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.