AUGUSTA — A request from State Rep. Larry Lockman, R-Amherst, to review the residency of state Rep. George Hogan, D-Old Orchard Beach, was overwhelmingly rejected by members of the State House.

Hogan, 74, was recently re-elected to the House District 13 seat, which covers Old Orchard Beach.

Lockman made his request Wednesday, when the first regular session of the 128th Legislature convened.

“Madam speaker, the evidence is credible and compelling and it merits review by the House election committee,” Lockman said as he stood at the podium, addressing House Speaker Sara Gideon of D-Freeport.

Lockman said he had a private investigator’s report with sworn affidavits and witness reports that Hogan had not been living in his district when he was elected.

House Majority Leader Erin Herbig, D-Belfast said Lockman’s request was “a waste of our time” and Hogan had lived in Old Orchard Beach for 74 years.

“He literally continues to build his life there today,” Herbig said.

She said Hogan was renovating his home in Old Orchard Beach and staying in Saco while the work was completed.

House Minority Leader Ken Fredette, R-Newport, said he believed Hogan was a resident of House District 13 and should be seated. He said, according to state law, if someone has established a “fixed and principal home,” and if they leave temporarily with the intent to return, that home is still their residence.

Lockman’s request was voted down 121-7.

Hogan’s residency was questioned during election time when on Nov. 5 the Maine Republican Party issued a press release stating that Hogan was living at his girlfriend’s house in Saco.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.