PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The Latest on Maine election for governor (all times local):
10:25 a.m.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage is wishing his Democratic successor well.
LePage issued a brief statement Wednesday congratulating all the winners of Tuesday’s election in Maine. He told the newly elected officials that they’ve been entrusted “with the future of our state and to represent all of the people.” He told them to “please hold that trust sacred.”
He specifically singled out Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills, with whom he has repeatedly clashed. Mills will be Maine’s first woman to serve as governor in January when she’s sworn into office.
Mills, who’s currently Maine’s attorney general, will become the first woman to serve as governor in January when she’s sworn in.
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9:30 a.m.
Democrat Janet Mills says her top priorities as governor are expanding Medicaid as voters demanded in 2017, lowering health insurance premiums and tackling the opioid crisis that has claimed hundreds of lives.
Mills paid a visit to a diner on the Portland waterfront on Wednesday morning, just hours after she claimed victory.
Mills, who’s currently Maine’s attorney general, will become the first woman to serve as governor in January when she’s sworn in.
Mills told reporters that, “I like to think I’m the most qualified person for the job, first and foremost.” She added that she wants girls to know they can achieve any goal.
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9:20 a.m.
Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills has more to cheer than her election as governor. Democrats also are going to control the Legislature.
Democrats won control of the Maine Senate and widened their majority in the House. It’ll be the first time since 2010, when Republican Paul LePage was first elected, that one party has control of both the Blaine House and the Statehouse.
Democrats say they’ve won at least 19 of 35 seats in the Senate, and at least 80 of 151 seats in the House.
Mills, for her part, has pledged to usher in an era of “open doors” and collaboration in state government.
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7:30 a.m.
Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills is celebrating her win to succeed firebrand GOP Gov. Paul LePage, becoming the first woman to serve as Maine’s chief executive.
The former lawmaker was set to greet patrons at Becky’s Diner in Portland Wednesday morning following her Tuesday victory over Republican businessman Shawn Moody and independent state treasurer Terry Hayes.
Mills pledged to usher in an era of “open doors” and collaboration in state government. She vowed to change the tone after eight years of LePage’s combative style, and to fight Trump administration policies on environmental, immigration and welfare.
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