BATH — By a vote of 319 to 244, Jennifer DeChant bested Paul Johnson on Tuesday to become the Democratic candidate in the November election for House District 62.

DeChant, who has served as chairwoman of the Sagadahoc County Democratic Committee and as a Democratic national committeewoman, will face Bath City Councilor Kyle Rogers, a Republican, for the House seat currently held by Mike Clarke, a Democrat, who opted not to seek re-election to a second term.

In an email this morning to The Times Record, DeChant thanked those who supported her election, as well as Johnson “for running a good campaign and bringing important issues to the forefront.”

“Now, I will begin immediately to broaden my scope to connect with all Bath voters regardless of political affiliation and offer a moderate approach to issues we all face,” DeChant continued. “I intend to show that it is time Maine comes back to the business of thoughtful compromise and consensus on state policy, and my experience in state government gives me the tools to do that.”

In an email to The Times Record on Tuesday evening, Johnson, a former member of the Bath Board of Education and co-chairman of the task force that created Regional School Unit 1, congratulated DeChant and thanked those who worked on his campaign and voted for him.

“My tiny ‘kitchen cabinet’ who worked tirelessly for me will be valued friends for the rest of my life,” Johnson wrote. “They and I will work for a Democratic victory in November. This campaign has reinforced my affection for the city of Bath and the people who make it a special place.”

bbrogan@timesrecord.com