BOWDOINHAM — With results from two thirds of District 55 reported, incumbent Democrat Seth Berry held a sizable lead and was poised to retain his seat in the Maine House as of early Wednesday morning.

Bowdoinham backed Berry 1,036 to 623 over Guy Lebida, while the race was closer in Richmond — 894 to 665. Bowdoin had not yet reported. Berry held 60 percent of the total vote in what would be his sixth successful run for the District 55 seat.

Berry first won the seat in 2006, victorious in each of his four elections until he was ineligible to run due to term limits in 2014. Berry defeated incumbent Brian Hobart in 2016. The Bowdoinham resident declared victory and thanked voters just after midnight.

This race was more contentious than previous elections, according to Berry.  In September, he was the target of an anti-immigration flyer produced by a conservative group led by Rep. Larry Lockman. He’s also come under attack through an anonymous Facebook page he said spread misinformation. After Tuesday’s vote, Berry’s message was one of unity.

“I am grateful for this strong show of support and will continue to focus on working for all the people of Bowdoin, Bowdoinham and Richmond — regardless of party,” said Berry. “Only when we work together as neighbors and as fellow Mainers, can we help our state realize its true potential.”

Prior to the election, Berry said it was certain the state would have a new governor. He saw it as an opportunity to reset the course and work in a collaborative manner. He offered initial thoughts on Maine’s first female governor Janet Mills.

“Mills will be not only Maine’s first woman governor, but also one of the most highly capable and qualified in our 198-year history,” said Berry. “I look forward to working with her and with my new and returning colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move Maine forward.”

Berry stressed prior to the election the need to retain young workers in the state.  He believes in more targeted training in Maine’s education system. Berry also has been working to address the state’s lack of broadband access in rural areas, an issue that’s been stressed by officials in and around District 55.

Lebida described himself as a constitutional conservative. A lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, he served as a combat engineer in the National Guard from 1979 to 1984 before joining the U.S. Army Reserve. Lebida has since worked as a contractor, owning and operating Our Father’s Business. He also ran against Sen. Eloise Vitelli for the District 23 seat in 2016.

chris@timesrecord.com