WATERBORO – Incumbent Republican Sen. David Woodsome of Waterboro sailed to a third term in Senate District 33 Tuesday, besting his Democratic opponent John Tuttle of Sanford by more than 2,500 votes.

It was the second match-up for the two former Sanford High School classmates — they were opponents in the 2014 contest when Woodsome won his first Senate race.

In unofficial totals, Woodsome earned 9,025 votes, and Tuttle, a former longtime state legislator and current Sanford city councilor, earning 6,283.

The district is largely rural, with the exception of Sanford. Woodsome prevailed in Cornish, Limerick, Newfield, Parsonsfield. Shapleigh and Waterboro, while Tuttle took Sanford by a 151 vote margin, not enough to make up for his losses in the rural towns.

“I’m happy to win, and glad the election is over, “said Woodsome. He pledged to work hard for his constituents.

Woodsome, a retired school teacher and former Waterboro selectman,  chairs the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.

He said his greatest asset is his common sense and ability to work with people of all political backgrounds.

Candidates were asked their thoughts on a number of issues, including school violence prior to the election.

“Our culture has become so adversarial, and we have become nasty with each other, refusing to find common ground,” Woodsome said. “This culture perpetuates anger, aggression and isolation, which I believe play a central role in school shootings and other violence. In short, we need a national and individual attitude adjustment.”

Woodsome said gun owners have a moral responsibility to ensure their weapons are inaccessible to children and believes anyone in a gun-owning household  should receive safety training to learn what responsibility gun ownership entails.

“A ban on new sales might make some feel better, but it won’t stop school shootings,” he said.

He said bullying, lack of positive parental involvement, and limited access to quality mental health care options are taking a “terrible toll” on children. Mainers need to parent their children, he said, mentor them, and said families and schools must have access to mental health services.

He supported expanded Medicare in Maine, and said the state has to look at community nursing and ways to help keep seniors in their homes.

He favors trade and technology education in all Maine schools.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com