Editor’s note: PolitickerME.com has attempted to break down the state Senate races. Click here for a comprehensive overview, and on the following links for a closer look at the three tossup races – Senate District 1, Senate District 15 and Senate District 22.

Senate District 22 OPEN SEAT: David Miramant (D-Camden) vs. Christopher Rector (R-Thomaston) PolitickerME.com rating: Tossup

The candidates:

If we were to pick one race that control of the state Senate could come down to, this would be it.

Incumbent Sen. Christine Savage (R-Union) is termed out, and two House members, David Miramant (D-Camden) and Christopher Rector (R-Thomaston) are competing for the seat.

It’s a swing district. Prior to Savage, it was held by Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven), who is running for Congress this year. A Republican held the seat before Pingree.

Miramant is completing his first term in the House. Outside of the Legislature, he owns his own restaurant, flying service and dinner cruise. He also serves on the Camden selectboard.

In the Legislature, he is a member of the Natural Resources Committee.

Rector is also a small business owner, running an ice cream shop. He is finishing his third term in the House, and serves on the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee.

The district:

This district includes 15 towns in Knox County.

• Appleton: 909 registered voters – 276 Democrats, 248 Republicans, 385 unenrolled
• Camden: 4,028 registered voters – 1,582 Democrats, 1,062 Republicans, 1,384 unenrolled
• Cushing: 1,008 registered voters – 271 Democrats, 314 Republicans, 423 unenrolled
• Hope: 1,095 registered voters – 303 Democrats, 398 Republicans, 394 unenrolled
• Matinicus Isle Plt.: 85 registered voters – 26 Democrats, 25 Republicans, 34 unenrolled
• North Haven: 317 registered voters – 167 Democrats, 64 Republicans, 86 unenrolled
• Owls Head: 1,309 registered voters – 369 Democrats, 491 Republicans, 449 unenrolled
• Rockland: 4,658 registered voters – 1,472 Democrats, 1,390 Republicans, 1,796 unenrolled
• Rockport: 2,410 registered voters – 834 Democrats, 821 Republicans, 755 unenrolled
• Saint George: 1,996 registered voters – 640 Democrats, 546 Republicans, 810 unenrolled
• South Thomaston: 1,219 registered voters – 349 Democrats, 382 Republicans, 488 unenrolled
• Thomaston: 1,842 registered voters – 592 Democrats, 588 Republicans, 662 unenrolled
• Union: 1,630 registered voters – 360 Democrats, 626 Republicans, 644 unenrolled
• Vinalhaven: 997 registered voters – 347 Democrats, 190 Republicans, 460 unenrolled
• Warren 2,504 registered voters – 529 Democrats, 793 Republicans, 1,182 unenrolled

Geography is tricky here. There are a lot of small towns and most of them are split evenly. The coastal part of this district – Camden and Rockland – is the most heavily Democratic. The inner part of the district – Warren and Union – is more Republican. For both candidates this race will need to be won in the smaller communities and among the undecideds.

Miramant might get a small push from Pingree’s coattails on the islands and in Rockland, but this likely will be a race where every vote is coveted.

Campaign finance:

Miramant ranks fourth among Democrats for independent expenditures by outside groups made in his race, with $41,489 spent – the bulk of it from the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee and the Maine Republican Party.

Rector ranks second among Republicans for independent expenditures by outside groups. $33,920 has been spent on his race, the bulk of it from the Maine Republican Party and the Maine Senate Republican Committee.

Both candidates are running under the Maine Clean Elections Act. After matching funds, Miramant has received $36,444 for his campaign and Rector has received $44,603.