Bransfield Easily Wins Fifth Term

Portland Democrats retained control of the Board of Selectmen for the next two years, with Susan Bransfield winning a fifth term as First Selectman on Tuesday night.

Three Democrats were re-elected to the board. They were Brian Flood, Mark Finkelstein and Kathleen Richards. Fred Knous, who was tapped to fill a seat that was vacated in August, won a full term. 

Bransfield garnered 1,465 votes to defeat Republican Don Bascom, who tallied 683 votes. Third-party candidate Lambros Lambrinides came in third with 114 votes.  

Democrats also easily retained their majority on the board of selectmen.

Republicans won two seats. Carl Chadzuk won a third term and Ryan Curley won in his first try.

The board of selectmen will have five Democrats and two Republicans.

Some candidates were in attendance and tension built as a moderator read off the results that were from the machine, absentee totals and "hand counts" for each candidate.

After the results were read, Bransfield said she "was very pleased that the votes were finally in and very pleased I'll be able to serve the people of Portland two more years." She was also grateful for all who voted and very grateful we will have a wonderful slate of people to work for the people of Portland. She thanked everyone for the support.  

Democrats enjoyed lopsided victories to return to the board of selecmen. Richards had the most votes with 1,558. Flood was next with 1,416, followed by Finkelstein with 1,353 and  Knous, 1,057.

Chudzik won with 991 votes, but it was newcomer Curley who was the bright spot for Republicans. Curley, who will replace John H. Anderson on the board, was elected with 1,034 votes.

For the board of education, all three candidates running were elected. Chairman Christopher Phelps had 1,348 votes and fellow Democrat Maryanne Rhode, 1,419. 

Republican Brenna Kosicki returns to the board to fill a seat left open when Christopher Bongo decided to step down. Kosicki had 1,069 votes.  

Phelps said he was gratified with the election outcome and hoped to get down to work building a strong school system.   

All members of the board of selectmen elected will be taking the oath of office in a special meeting Nov. 22, according to Bransfield.