Deschambault, DBiddeford, who was elected in a special election a week ago, received news of today’s swearing-in ceremony Monday afternoon.
“Just received word that the swearing-in is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. near the governor’s office,” Deschambault wrote in a brief email.
Deschambault was elected to represent the residents of the sprawling district that includes Alfred, Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunkport and Lyman on March 29, earning 57 percent of the vote. The seat has been vacant since Jan. 28, when David Dutremble, D-Biddeford, resigned to receive treatment from alcoholism and spend more time with his family.
Deschambault was originally scheduled to be sworn in by LePage Friday morning. She arrived in Augusta with family and friends, only to be told at the last minute that it wasn’t happening.
LePage Communications Director Peter Steele said LePage wouldn’t swear in Deschambault last week because, he said, Democrats had disrespected Steve Webster, LePage’s nominee as an unemployment insurance commissioner, on Thursday. The Labor Committee rejected Webster 7-6 in a party-line vote.
Senate Democratic leader Justin Alfond told the Journal Tribune on Friday he was told by LePage’s staff that the governor would wait the full five business days allowed by law for opponents to contest election results. But her Republican opponent, Steve Martin, said had no plans to contest the results.
Senate President Michael Thibodeau’s office on Friday confirmed that the senate would not conduct any roll call votes until Deschambault was seated.
Deschambault was elected to serve the remainder of Dutremble’s term, which expires at the end of November. She intends to run again to retain the seat for a full term, and will face off against former Biddeford mayor Joanne Twomey in the Democratic primary on June 14.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Martin, who is uncontested in the Republican primary, in the November election.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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