CUMBERLAND — Michael Timmons on Tuesday defeated Joseph Kumiszcza, 389-162, in a primary race for the Republican nomination in state House District 45.

Timmons, of Bruce Hill Road, will now face Dale Denno, a Democrat who lives on Main Street, in the November election.

The candidates are running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Steve Moriarty, D-Cumberland. Moriarty has represented District 108, which also includes a portion of North Yarmouth, as well as Chebeague Island and Long Island.

Because of redistricting, voters in Cumberland and a southern part of Gray will elect Moriarty’s successor in the newly created House District 45.

Timmons won, 347-152, in Cumberland, and 42-10 in Gray.

“I’m very happy, and I appreciate all the people in Cumberland, what they’ve done to help me,” he said Wednesday morning, “and I look forward, starting today, (to) working on winning on Nov. 4.”

Timmons, 71, is married and has one daughter and one grandson. The former Windham resident now lives at the Cumberland Fairgrounds, where he has been president for six years.

He spent 47 years in education, including time as a school principal, assistant superintendent, special education director and teacher. He retired two years ago.

Timmons also served five years on the Windham Town Council, and was its chairman for one year. In addition, he spent time on the town’s Board of Assessment Review.

Timmons has taken part in fundraisers for Camp Sunshine, the Make-A-Wish foundation and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. He was named Maine High School Principal of the Year in 1989, Honored Lions Person of the Year in 2006 and Maine Agricultural Person of the Year in 2012.

Maine has nearly 30 agricultural fairs, which “do make an impact on family life in many, many towns and communities,” Timmons said in May. “… I think the issues that come up that affect the community itself are very, very important, and I have worked very closely with the administration of the town as we put together mass gatherings and run the Cumberland Fair, because the fire, police and rescue all come here and work for us during the week of the fair.

“I have a great connect with the community, and I think serving in Augusta will give Cumberland another voice as well,” he added.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

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