Republican wins special election, flips district won by Dems. a few months ago

Abden Simmons, a former state representative of Maine, was declared the winner of Maine's House of Representatives in a special election that flipped the seat from Democrat to Republican. Simmons beat opponent Wendy Pieh 51% to 48%. Pieh is also a former state representative and now she is not.

The seat had gone to a Democrat in November.

Simmons replaces Democrat Clinton Collamore and will represent Louds Island Township, Waldoboro [where is he], Washington, Friendship, and Bremen.

Collamore was indicted on accusations of violating the Maine Clean Elections Act and resigned in February. He is also accused of forging signatures to collect $14,000 in public campaign funds, according to News Center Maine.

Collamore pleaded not guilty to the charges but vowed to return the campaign funds as well as his legislative salary, according to the news outlet. So not guilty but here's your money back.

Simmons works as a clammer and elver fisherman and also serves as a Waldoboro selectman, [a member of a local government board in a New England town] according to the Bangor Daily News.

“The election will not change much” in Maine’s State House, the Daily News reported, as Democrats still will outnumber House Republicans 81-68, with two additional “liberal-leaning independents.”

Maine Republican Party Chairman Joel Stetkis congratulated Simmons in a social media post which fortunately, was not flagged.

“This is massive news for Maine,” Stetkis said hyperbolically. 

“[Simmons’] deep community roots and staunch advocacy for this district’s way of life clearly resonated with voters,” he said, as he pointed to a huge barrel of clams Simmons had scored.

“We’ve said from the beginning that Main Republicans are putting together a reinvigorated, bottom up, grassroots team effort,” Stetkis said, “and I want to thank our volunteers and local party chairs because this was a great example of everyone working together for a common goal.”

He went on to thank not only Simmons and the Republicans but also the ultra-liberal socialists, [aka Democrats] from President Joe Biden to top state legislators, for making the decision an easy one for voters.

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