AUGUSTA - Recounts have been requested in the Maine House District 45 and Senate District 20 races, according to Megan Sanborn, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's Office, who said 14 recounts had been requested statewide as of 9 a.m. Wednesday.

In House District 45, including Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Palermo, Thorndike, Troy and Unity, incumbent Rep. Ryan Harmon (R-Palermo) lost his seat to challenger Brian Jones (D-Freedom) by 26 votes in Election Night tallies.

Harmon and Jones each won four of the eight towns, with Jones taking Freedom, Montville, Thorndike and Unity, and Harmon coming out on top in Burnham, Knox, Palermo and Troy. The 0.6 percent overall margin of difference favored Jones but was well within the two percent margin eligible for a no-fee recount under Maine election law.

In Senate District 20, incumbent Sen. Christopher Johnson (D-Somerville) beat challenger Les Fossel (R-Alna) by 0.6 percent of the total vote. The district includes all of Lincoln County, Friendship and Washington in Knox County and Windsor in Kennebec County.

According to an analysis by the Bangor Daily News, Senate District 20 ranked sixth among statehouse races in total spending. Figures compiled by PenBayPilot.com indicate that over $230,000 was put toward the race, either in money raised by the candidates or in spending reported by the major political parties and outside groups.

The House District 45 recount will be held on Monday, Nov. 19, at 8:30 a.m. at the Maine Department of Public Safety Office, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta. The Senate District 20 recount will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 9 a.m. at the same location. 

State law allows the candidates, their representatives and members of the public to view the recount process.

Recounts have also been requested in the following races: Senate District 17, House Districts 29, 51, 54, 70, 80, 94, 109, 127, 137, 144 and Piscataquis County Commission District 3.

One other legislatve race in the Midcoast fell within the two-percent-or-less range, House District 41, where incumbent James Gillway (R-Searsport) beat Meredith Ares (D-Searsport by 111 votes, or 1.1 percent of the total votes cast. As of Wednesday morning, no recount had been requested in that race.

Sanborn said losing candidates have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to request a recount.

Penobscot Bay Pilot reporter Ethan Andrews can be reached at ethanandrews@penbaypilot.com