Democrat Rebecca Jauch is set to serve her first term in the state House after Topsham residents gave her 59% of the vote in Tuesday’s House District 51 race, according to unofficial results.

“I wouldn’t be here without our community’s help and support,” said Jauch, who currently serves as Sagadahoc County treasurer. “It’s really an honor to be elected to be our voice in Augusta.”

Jauch defeated Republican Linda Baker, a retired Mt. Ararat High School teacher who previously served a term in the state Senate.

Term-limited Democrat Denise Tepler has represented Topsham in Augusta since 2014, when she edged Republican Kim Talbot by fewer than 100 votes. Since then, the area has gradually shifted leftward, even before redistricting cut the more conservative northwest corner of Topsham out of the new District 51.

Jauch, the mother of two small children, hopes the Democrat-controlled Legislature will support young families by creating universal pre-K programs and incentivizing employer-based child care options.

“That would help attract workers, retain workers and give parents a break,” she said. “This is my first foray into politics, so I hope I’m not coming across too overly optimistic, but I am really hopeful that we can sidestep a lot of the partisan arguing and fighting and come together as a as a full legislative body.”