PolitickerME.com has evaluated all 151 state House ratings by looking at the candidates, their histories and past results. We also spoke with people close to the process.

Click on the links for a county-by-county assessment:

ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY | AROOSTOOK COUNTY | CUMBERLAND COUNTY | FRANKLIN COUNTY | HANCOCK COUNTY | KENNEBEC COUNTY | KNOX COUNTY | LINCOLN COUNTY | OXFORD COUNTY | PENOBSCOT COUNTY | PISCATAQUIS COUNTY | SAGADAHOC COUNTY | SOMERSET COUNTY | WALDO COUNTY | WASHINGTON COUNTY | YORK COUNTY

Click here for an overall evaluation.

LINCOLN COUNTY

H.D. 50 – Safe Democrat: Although she won by only 200 votes in 2006, incumbent Wendy Pieh (D-Breman) is well-known in her community. Challenger Henry Simmons (R-Nobleboro) got a late start in this race, putting him at a disadvantage. Pieh should win easily.

H.D. 51 – Likely Republican: Incumbent Jon McKane (R-Newcastle) had an easy race in 2006, which he won by more than 1,000 votes in a traditionally Democratic district. This year he is not so lucky. His opponent, Peter Drum (D-Damariscotta), is extremely formidable. While McKane will likely pull this one out (he does, after all, have interesting name recognition), it will be a good race to watch.

H.D. 52 – Likely Democrat: Incumbent Elizabeth Miller (D-Somerville) won by 547 votes in 2006. This year, she faces a strong opponent in John Stewart (R-Washington). While Miller will more than likely keep the seat, it will be a race.

H.D. 53 – Leans Republican: Incumbent Peter Rines (D-Wiscasset) is leaving the seat to run for the Senate, and Leslie Fossel (R-Alna) is up against Timothy Nason (D-Dresden). Fossel has a strong history of running for office in this district, and losing by a handful of votes. In looking at his 2002 and 2004 (primary) Senate bids, however, he won most of the towns in this district. Nason, however, is working hard as well. We hesitantly give this race a “leans Republican”, but still say it’s one to watch. It will be close.

H.D. 61 – Likely Democrat: This is traditionally a Republican seat, but after a failed race in 2004 incumbent Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay) managed to win his first term in 2006 by about 600 votes. This year he returns as a successful legislator and a strong candidate, and should be able to pull out a solid victory against Hamilton Meserve (R-Southport).