BIDDEFORD — Sen. David Dutremble, a Democratic state senator who represents District 32, will resign his seat on Thursday to focus on recovering from alcohol abuse, he announced this morning.

The news broke at 6:55 this morning on journaltribune.com.

Dutremble, a Biddeford firefighter who also runs an electrical business, was first elected in 2012, and was reelected in November 2014. His term ends in December.

On Jan. 14, Dutremble announced he would not be running for a third term, saying the demands of the Legislature and his other jobs make it hard to spend time with his wife and five children.

Dutremble said in this morning’s statement that while that is true, it is also true that he has been battling alcohol abuse.

“For those who are close to me, they know that I thought this was a demon I could fight alone – and, one that I could (fight) with a ‘business as usual’ approach,” Dutremble said in the statement. “I’ve learned the hard way that this is not the case.

“Today, I have made the very hard decision to resign as state senator so that I can focus on my recovery. While this decision has been a painful one, I simply can’t keep living in the same manner. I want to get healthy. I want my family to have the ‘real me’ back – and I can only do that by putting myself and my family first.”

Dutremble went on to say he is “incredibly grateful” for having served his constituents. “I have been humbled and honored to be their voice at the State House,” he said.

District 32 includes Alfred, Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunkport and Lyman.

Linda Valentino, a Democratic state senator from Saco, said in an email that she wishes Dutremble and his family all the best in dealing with the issue.

“During his time in the Senate, Sen. Dutremble has been a strong advocate for his constituents,” Valentino said.

Rep. Martin Grohman, D-Biddeford, also wished Dutremble the best of luck, and said he has his strongest support.

“I applaud David for making this decision for himself and his family,” Grohman said in an email.

Kristen Muszynski, spokeswoman for the Maine Secretary of State’s Office, said this morning that state law requires an “immediate” special election to fill a vacancy in the Senate. The governor must make the proclamation for a special election, and then the parties caucus to present nominees, she said.

Muszynski said it is too soon to tell how long the process could take, as it depends on when the governor makes the proclamation.

“Right now, it’s kind of up in the air,” she said.

Whoever is elected in the special election would serve the rest of Dutremble’s term, and would have to run again in the November election to retain the seat, Muszynski said.

When Dutremble leaves office, there will be 14 Democrats and 20 Republicans in the Maine Senate.

On Jan. 15, a day after Dutremble announced he would not be seeking reelection, two declared bids for his seat: former Biddeford mayor and former Democratic state legislator Joanne Twomey and Stephen Martin, a bail commissioner and retired police officer, who said he would seek the Republican nomination. Both said today that they intend to run in the special election.

“I threw my hat in the ring, and if that means getting in office sooner, that’s fine with me,” Martin said.

Twomey said she has already started campaigning and plans to advocate for holding a special election as soon as possible.

“We need representation,” Twomey said. “It’s a large district. There are some crucial issues coming up … and I think it’s urgent that we have this (seat filled) as soon as possible.”

BJ McCollister, director of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, said he expects the governor to make the proclamation for a special election Thursday, the day Dutremble resigns. After that, a timeline for caucusing would be established, he said.

McCollister said unlike in regular elections, anyone who lives in the district can decide to run in a special election without collecting a minimum number of signatures. “It’s all grassroots-driven,” he said.

Gov. Paul LePage’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

— Staff Writer Angelo J. Verzoni can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or averzoni@journaltribune.com.