AUGUSTA - A recount on Friday, Nov. 14, confirmed Michael Thibodeau as winner in the race for State Senate District 11, representing Waldo County. Unofficial results from Nov. 4 showed the Republican lawmaker from Winterport leading Democratic challenger Jonathan Fulford, of Monroe, by 105 votes out of roughly 16,000 cast in the race.

After the recount, requested by Fulford and conducted in Augusta under the supervision of the Secretary of State’s Office, that margin increased to 135 votes.

Thibodeau previously served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives and one term in the Senate, where he held the post of Minority Leader. Republicans picked up a majority in the Senate on Nov. 4. The Senate caucus unanimously picked Thibodeau as the Senate president for the 127th Legislature. 

In a statement released by Maine Senate Republican office prior to the recount, Thibodeau described being chosen to lead the Senate as “a true honor” and also an “awesome responsibility.”

“The people of Maine spoke very clearly in this week’s election,” he said. “They are demanding action on critical issues such as job creation, energy costs, and welfare reform. We cannot let them down. Delivering real results will take the efforts of both Republicans and Democrats to put their partisan differences aside and work in a collaborative manner on behalf of the people of Maine. It is what we were elected to do and we must rise to the challenge.”

Fulford conceded the race following the recount, Friday. In a statement posted to his Facebook campaign page, he congratulated Thibodeau and thanked him for “running a competitive campaign and keeping the tone civil.”

“I enjoyed meeting more of your family while greeting people at the polls in Winterport last week,” he wrote. “I will be watching with interest your efforts to address the problem of dark money in politics.”

Recounts are scheduled for two other statehouse races. In Senate District 21, representing Lewiston, Republican Patricia Gagne is challenging the unofficial 64-vote margin of victory for Democrat Nathan Libby. The open seat was previously held by Democrat Margaret Craven. 

In Senate District 25, encompassing part of Cumberland County, Republican Cathleen Manchester is challenging the unofficial seven-vote margin of victory for Democrat Catherine Breen. The open seat was previously held by independent Richard Woodbury. 

Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com