Mark Holbrook

Mark Holbrook, a conservative professional counselor from Brunswick, has emerged as the apparent winner in Maine’s 1st District Republican primary, securing his party’s nomination by a mere 55 votes.

Holbrook says he was notified of his unofficial victory Thursday evening by Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.

“They called at ten minutes of five and explained that all of the results were in and that they had certified them and the official number was that I had won by 55 votes,” he says.

Holbrook credited his staff with propelling him across the finish line.

AUGUSTA, Maine - With nearly all the votes counted, Maine 1st District Republican primary candidate Ande Smith is only a few dozen votes behind rival Mark Holbrook, out of the nearly 21,000 votes cast in the race.

Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap says that makes it one of the closest congressional primaries in recent state history, but says his office is ready for a recount should one be requested.

PORTLAND, Maine - A recount is likely as the only congressional primary on the Maine ballot remains too close to call.
 
The Associated Press has declined to declare a victor in the race between Republicans Ande Smith of North Yarmouth and Mark Holbrook of Brunswick. They're competing for the opportunity to face Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree on the November ballot.