Washington County voters reflected the statewide trend of electing Republican candidates to office, by even wider margins than the state percentages, and a new sheriff will be riding into the county, following the November 4 general election in Maine. The county will continue to have only one Democrat in the state legislature, as an incumbent Democratic representative, Katherine Cassidy of Lubec, lost her seat, while a new Democratic representative, Robert Alley Sr. of Beals, was elected for House District 138.
     The votes in the county and the state echoed the mood in the nation, as Republicans surged in the mid-term election, taking control of both the U.S. Senate and the Maine Senate. They also gained seats in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives. However, unlike in 2010 when Republicans were able to win full control of the Maine Legislature, Democrats still have a slim majority in the House. They did, though, lose 10 seats to the Republicans.
     In Washington County races, Republican challenger Barry Curtis of Cherryfield defeated incumbent independent Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith of Lubec, who was seeking a third four-year term. Curtis received 57.6% of the vote to 42.4% for Smith. Smith has been outspoken during his eight years as sheriff, which sometimes created tensions between the sheriff's department and different law enforcement agencies and the county commissioners.
     For the Maine Senate District 6, which covers all of Washington County, incumbent Republican Senator David Burns fended off a challenge by Democrat Anne Perry, who previously has served four terms in the House. Burns received 55% of the vote to 45% for Perry.
     For Maine House seats, incumbent Democratic Rep. Katherine Cassidy of Lubec lost the District 139 seat to Republican Will Tuell of East Machias. Tuell won with 53.5% of the vote to 46.5% for Cassidy.
     Republican Rep. Joyce Maker of Calais easily won reelection for the District 140 seat, defeating Democrat Harold Clark Jr. of Calais by a margin of 67% to 33%.
     Democrat Robert Alley of Beals will be the new state representative for the coastal area covered by District 138, which had previously been represented by Republican Peter Doak of Columbia Falls. Alley defeated Republican candidate Richard Paul of Addison by a margin of 52.5% to 47.5%.
     In District 141, which now extends to the Dennysville, Edmunds, Marion and Cooper area, Republican Rep. Beth Turner of Burlington ran unopposed, while in District 137, Rep. Lawrence Lockman of Amherst, whose district previously reached as far as Pembroke but now extends only as far as Northfield and Wesley, won by a margin of 58% to 42% for Oscar Emerson of Bradley.
     For the district attorney seat for District 7, which includes Washington and Hancock counties, Republican Matthew Foster defeated Democrat William Entwisle by a margin of 56% to 44%. Foster will replace Carletta Bassano as district attorney, as she did not seek reelection. Entwisle has served 11 years as a prosecutor in the DA's office, while Foster has been practicing as a criminal defense attorney in Ellsworth.
     In state races, Republican Governor Paul LePage won reelection by a wider margin than was predicted by polling, which had shown a neck-and-neck race, as he defeated Democrat Mike Michaud by a margin of 48% to 43%. Independent candidate Eliot Cutler garnered less than earlier polling had indicated, receiving only 8% of the vote. In Washington County, LePage's margin of victory was even greater, according to unofficial results, with LePage at 52%, Michaud at 39.5% and Cutler at 8%.
     For the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House, Republican candidate Bruce Poliquin also exceeded polling predictions in what was considered a toss-up race, defeating Democrat Emily Cain by a margin of 47% to 42%. Independent candidate Blaine Richardson received 11%. In Washington County, Poliquin's margin of victory was slightly higher, as he received 48% to 41% for Cain.
     In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins handily defeated her Democratic challenger, receiving 68.6% of the vote to 31% for Shenna Bellows. Collins received an even higher percentage in Washington County, 71%, with Bellows receiving 29%.
     In the bear baiting referendum, Washington County voters more firmly rejected the proposed ban on the use of bait, dogs or traps in bear hunting than did voters statewide. The citizen-initiated referendum was defeated by a margin of 53.6% to 46.4% statewide, while county voters turned down the ban 63% to 37%. Back in 2004, the proposed ban had been turned down by a margin of 53% to 47%.
     All six bond issue referendum questions passed; Washington County voters, though, turned down the bond issue for biotechnology jobs and training and approved the others by smaller margins than the statewide vote, except for the marine economy bond. Results were as follows:  $8 million for health threats lab -- statewide, 60% to 40%; Washington County, 55% to 45%; $12 million for small business loans program -- statewide, 62% to 38%; Washington County, 60% to 40%; $10 million for Jackson Lab expansion -- statewide, 63% to 37%; Washington County, 59% to 41%; $3 million for biomedical research institutions -- statewide, 51% to 49%; Washington County, 46% to 54%; $10 million for clean drinking water -- statewide, 64.5% to 35.5%; Washington County, 58% to 42%; $7 million for marine-based industry applicant -- statewide, 59% to 41%; Washington County, 59% to 41%.