Maine state representative facing domestic violence charge wins recount by single vote

AUGUSTA, Maine (WMTW) – The Maine state representative who was charged with domestic violence in court less than a week before Election Day will be able to keep his seat in the Maine House of Representatives after winning a recount by one vote .

Rep. state Rep. Lucas Lanigan, Republican, he was re-elected in his bid to represent House District 141, which includes the communities of Newfield and Shapleigh, as well as parts of Sanford and Springvale.

The Maine Secretary of State’s office conducted a recount Thursday after Lanigan and his Democratic challenger, Patricia Kidder, both received 2,476 votes with 426 blank ballots.

According to the recount results, Lanigan received 2,478 votes, while Kidder received 2,477 votes. Election officials said 424 ballots were still considered blank after the recount.

Lawyers for both candidates contested two ballots because it was unclear who voters voted for, but those disputes were withdrawn.

“Every vote counts. It is more than a slogan. It’s critical to our democratic elections,” said state Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, the Republican leader of the Maine House. “Congratulations to Rep. Lanigan for winning his race by one vote.”

Lanigan surrendered to authorities on Oct. 28, eight days before Election Day, after an arrest warrant was issued on a charge of aggravated assault with domestic violence. He made his first court appearance two days later.

According to the initial police report, Lanigan’s wife claimed he choked her during a domestic dispute. But during Lanigan’s court appearance, his wife claimed the incident was a misunderstanding.

The York County Sheriff’s Office said Lanigan posted $3,000 bail the day of his court appearance and was released. Lanigan is expected to make another court appearance in March.

“Nothing has changed about our concerns about his fitness for office. The allegations against him are very, very serious,” said state Rep. Matt Moonen, the Democratic leader of the Maine House.

In a Facebook post shared before the recountsKidder said she remains committed to fighting for affordable health care, quality public education and solutions to the housing and homelessness crisis, regardless of the outcome of the election.

Neither Lanigan nor Kidder responded to WMTW’s request for comment on the recount results.