FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 4, 2016
Contact: Kristen Schulze Muszynski
626-8404/ 441-7638


Challenge found invalid; Twomey to appear on primary ballot for Senate District 32 race


AUGUSTA ? Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap confirmed today that Senate District 32 Democratic candidate Joanne Twomey has submitted enough valid signatures to appear on the June 14, 2016 primary ballot.

Twomey had submitted eight nomination petitions with the minimum requirement of 100 signatures to the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions by the March 15 deadline for primary candidates.

On March 22, Biddeford resident David Flood filed a challenge to Twomey?s nomination petitions, stating the following concerns: three signatures have no dates; the petition circulator also signed the petition; three signatures do not list a city of residence; and the Primary Candidate?s Consent and Certification of Enrollment sheet is incomplete.

A hearing on the challenge took place on Monday, March 28 in Augusta, in accordance with state law. Both the challenger and the candidate had an opportunity to present oral testimony of witnesses as well as documentary evidence, and make oral arguments pertaining to the challenge.?

In his final decision, issued today, Secretary Dunlap found that the concerns raised in the complaint were not sufficient to disqualify the petition signatures.


?I would like to thank the hearings officer for giving all arguments their due attention, and for rendering a fair finding based on the facts, in the context of the requirements of the law,? said Dunlap.

The District 32 Senate seat is currently held by Senator-elect Susan A. Deschambault, (D-Biddeford) who won the majority of votes in a special election on Tuesday, March 29. The seat had been vacated by Sen. David E. Dutremble of Biddeford, who submitted his resignation on Jan. 28. Deschambault will serve out the remainder of Dutremble?s term, through November 2016.

The candidates chosen in the June 14 primary election will appear on the November 2016 General Election ballot to serve the next full, two-year term. With the decision issued today, the following candidates will appear on the June 14 Democratic primary ballot for the Senate District 32 seat: Joanne Twomey and Susan Deschambault. Republican Stephen Paul Martin will appear on the June 14 Republican primary ballot.