Voters fill out their ballots inside the Wiscasset Community Center the morning of Nov. 5 during the 2024 elections. Laura Sitterly / The Times Record
Wayne Farrin (D) won a tight race to represent the Wiscasset area in the Maine House of Representatives in Tuesday’s election.
Farrin edged out Republican incumbent Ed Polewarczyk by a vote of 3,041-2,880 to take the House District 47 seat, according to unofficial election results. That district includes Wiscasset, Alna, Jefferson and Whitefield.
Farrin, who has lived in Jefferson his entire adult life, said he ran to reduce housing costs, increase housing availability, lower prescription drug prices, and improve road and bridge safety.
Assuming office in December, he plans to serve on the state housing committee and work with the Department of Transportation to get the necessary funding for area infrastructure projects.
Early Wednesday morning, Wiscasset Town Clerk Linda Perry said that 2,238 town residents voted, including 968 by absentee ballot, purportedly double the average amount.
Wiscasset was the only town in the district where Polewarcyzk had the lead. However, this advantage wasn’t enough to tip the scales.
“Before polls opened, there was a line out the door,” said Perry. “I’ve never seen participation or energy like this year’s voters.”
Farrin and Polewarcyzk both stayed up, eying the polls.
“I am very excited to be the winner of House District 47,” Farrin said. “Ed is a gentleman who ran a great race. I look forward to working in Augusta and representing everyone in my district.”
Polewarcyzk admitted he was disappointed by the results.
“When I reflect, I feel blessed to have been a part of the state Legislature for two years,” Polewarcyzk said. “It was a great adventure, and I met fabulous people on both sides of the aisle. I’m proud of what I accomplished for Wiscasset-area retired teachers and state employees, and plan to call Wayne and congratulate him on his win.”
After 34 years working on the space shuttle program in his career outside of politics, Polewarcyzk now hopes to enjoy retirement.