Richardson's official margin of victory was 33 votes, seven more than the original count. "We picked up some votes in Monson and lost a few in Shirley," Richardson said. "The Democrats challenged some ballots, but there weren't enough questionable ones to overturn the margin."

Jones said that there were 56 ballots in dispute; but once she, her attorney, Richardson's attorney and the Secretary of State reviewed them, she conceded at 8:30 p.m. "I congratulate Earl and wish him the best. Officially, my term ends Dec. 1," Jones said.

The Democratic lawmaker said that she enjoyed serving in the House and will be considering her future plans over the Thanksgiving holiday. "I've been in public service in some capacity for nearly 30 years and hope to continue in some fashion," said Jones.

The victory puts the Piscataquis County district, which stretches from Greenville to Brownville, back in Republican hands once again. Jones was elected to the seat in 1996 and ran for the State Senate against Paul T. Davis two years later. Richardson succeeded Jones in 1998, but Jones defeated him for re-election two years ago.

Richardson, a Greenville selectmen and former town manager, said that he's relieved that the uncertainty is over. "I'm just looking forward to getting started. We've got a lot of work to do." The 121st Legislature will be sworn in on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Previously, Richardson served on the State and Local Government Committee, but said that he preferred to go on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Taxation or Appropriations Committee. "I know the Appropriations Committee puts a lot of time in, but I know I can handle it. I've done accounting all my life," said Richardson, who owns the Boom Chain Restaurant, the Shaw Block and Moosehead Cable Television.

During the just-completed legislative session, Jones was the first lawmaker from Piscataquis County to serve on the Appropriations Committee in more than 20 years.

The recount, which took place in a garage behind the Department of Public Safety headquarters, was originally set to begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday. But when Jones, Richardson and their ballot-counters arrived, the recount in House District 80 was still taking place, so officials from Secretary of State's Election Division pushed the District 111 recount to 2 p.m.

By 2 p.m., however, the District 80 ballots were still being scrutinized. Shortly before 3:30 p.m., t hree-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Elaine Fuller of Manchester was one vote behind her Republican challenger, Stanley Moody, also of Manchester. Ten votes remained in dispute, so the matter will be decided by the House, state election officials said.

Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky said that while there is enough room in the garage to hold more than one recount simultaneously, it isn't practical. "I've only got six people in the elections division, so I have to get volunteers from the motor vehicle department and the corporations division to just run one of them," said Gwadosky.

The six recounts this year are about average, said Gwadosky, who has been Secretary of State for six years. "What's really significant about this year is that the balance of power in the Senate lies in one race with a very thin margin," he noted.

It remains unclear how the race in Senate District 16 between Republican Leslie Fossel of Alna and Christopher Hall of Bristol will be resolved. At last report, Hall still had a two-vote margin with several ballots under scrutiny.

The makeup of the Senate is split 17-17 between the Republicans and Democrats, minus the District 16 results.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."