Topsham incumbent Baker faces GOP primary test

TOPSHAM — State Sen. Linda Baker, R-Topsham, must clear two hurdles this year to win a second, two-year term in Senate District 23.

She is challenged in June’s primary election by fellow Republican Guy Lebida of Bowdoin. The winner in November will face former Sen. Eloise Vitelli of Arrowsic, the Democrat unseated by Baker two years ago.

District 23 covers all of Sagadahoc County and the Lincoln County town of Dresden.

Democrat Everett “Brownie” Carson faces Republican and fellow Harpswell resident Eric Lusk in neighboring District 24. Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, is termed out of that seat, which represents Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, North Yarmouth and Pownal.

There are no primary contests for local seats in the state House of Representatives.

In District 49, the Democratic candidate is incumbent Rep. Matthea Daughtry of Brunswick, who is seeking a third term. Michael Stevens of Brunswick, who lost to Daughtry two years ago, is the only candidate on the Republican ballot.

District 49 represents West Brunswick, and includes most of Brunswick’s downtown.

In order to secure a second term in District 50, Rep. Ralph Tucker, D-Brunswick, is seeking a second term in District 50. The Republican candidate is Robert Thompson of Brunswick. The district covers most of East Brunswick, including Cook’s Corner and Brunswick Landing.

Rep. Joyce “Jay” McCreight, D-Harpswell, is running for a second term in District 51, which covers Harpswell, West Bath and a small piece of Brunswick. Jeffrey Slocum, of Harpswell, is the only candidate on the Republican ballot.

In Bath, Democratic Rep. Jennifer DeChant is seeking election to a third term in District 52. Bil Weidner of Bath is the only Republican candidate.

In Topsham’s District 54, Democratic Rep. Denise Tepler is seeking a second term. Selectman Ruth Lyons, a former longtime town clerk, is the Republican candidate.

Lyons said Monday that if elected to the state House, she would continue to serve the remainder of her term on the Board of Selectmen, which ends in November 2017.