Jackie Sartoris announced Thursday she is officially requesting a recount in the primary election that took place Tuesday for the Maine House District 50 Democratic nomination.
Only nine votes separate Sartoris from opponent Ralph Tucker.
In a statement, Sartoris wrote: “I agree with the deputy secretary of state’s assessment that this is the sort of election result for which a recount really makes sense.”
In an interview this week with The Times Record, Maine Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn said she would encourage a recount due to the closeness of Tuesday’s outcome.
“I think a recount is to be expected in such a close election,” said Tucker in an interview on Friday. Sartoris reiterated that she did- n’t expect a change to the outcome. She complimented the Town Clerk’s Office as “professional as always.”
“I am very proud of the campaign we ran. With a limited supply of money per voter, we proved that a campaign focused on engaging the voters, even against very long odds, can be highly competitive,” Sartoris said in her statement. “This recount is an indication of just how successful our campaign was. I deeply appreciate the support of so many citizens, friends, and former constituents, and of course the incredible support of my family.”
After a contentious race, both Tucker and Sartoris have been complimentary toward each other. Tucker complimented Sartoris “on a good race run with energy and enthusiasm.”
“I also want to compliment my opponent, Ralph Tucker, for running a very smart, strategic campaign,” Sartoris said in her statement. “While we had the support of the voters at the polls on Tuesday, my campaign simply did not implement an absentee ballot strategy, a significant failure on my part given the lower turnout of a non-Presidential voting year. Absentee votes tipped the balance in this election, and I imagine will play an increasing role in future campaigns in Brunswick.”
Regarding his edge in absentee ballots, Tucker said that many of his supporters were encouraged to vote early, rather than waiting for the election.
Tucker said Democrats will “pull together” after the recount to avoid a Republican takeover of the legislature — such as the one that occurred in 2010 — and to also focus on electing Democratic challenger Mike Michaud to the Blaine House.
Ballots will be transported to Augusta, where they will be hand-counted by representatives of both Tucker and Sartoris in a process facilitated by the Secretary of State’s office.
jswinconeck@timesrecord.com
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