Buxton resident Nathan Carlow was the victor in the Republican primary for House District 16, which includes part of Saco and Buxton and all of Hollis.

Carlow bested Stavros Mendros 457 to 334 in unofficial totals.

Carlow prevailed in his home town, earning 261 votes to 73 for Mendros, but Mendros won in Hollis, where he lives, earning 253 votes to Carlow’s 185. In Saco, Carlow earned 11 votes to Mendros’ 8.

Carlow will face off against Democrat David Durrell for the open seat in the November contest. Independent Donald Marean, the current House 16 representative, is term- limited.

Carlow, 21, is a graduate of Bonny Eagle High School and is studying political science at USM.

When he was a high school senior, Carlow waged a successful campaign against an incumbent school board member. He has served on Buxton’s Charter Review Commission, as the chairman of Buxton Republicans, and is a member of the York County Republican Committee.

“Our district is facing many challenges, some of which have originated from the coronavirus, and others that have predated it,” said Carlow. “In part due to rising costs, farms and businesses in our community are struggling to keep up with large out-of-state corporations. If these small companies are to survive, particularly during the aftermath of the coronavirus, we must work hard to make Maine a place where innovation is rewarded, not discouraged and highly taxed.”

He said Maine has to invest in vocational programs, career training and public colleges to provide more opportunities for younger Mainers and incentives for older people to remain in the workforce. He pointed out that hospitals, schools and businesses have experienced hardships filling vacancies as workers retire.

“Broadband is another major initiative that I would work hard to promote,” said Carlow. “In the 21st century, I believe that every Mainer should be able to have access to this important technology. “