There are a few major differences between state Rep. Tom Saviello (I-Wilton) and U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.): Saviello left the Democratic Party by choice, Lieberman left it by force.

Another difference: In the U.S. Senate, Lieberman’s vote holds great weight because of the narrow margin. In the 151-member Maine House, however, the Democrats hold a 42-seat majority, so Saviello’s vote is relatively insignificant.

Saviello served as a Democrat from 2003 to 2006. He said he left the party, and became an independent when he ran for his third term, which began at the end of 2006, out of frustration. He didn’t always agree with members of his caucus.

He is now starting his fourth term.

“At times, when the numbers were close, my ideas were different and not readily accepted," Saviello said.

Since then, the margins have widened. In 2005, there were 76 Democrats and 73 Republicans. In 2007, there were 88 Democrats and 61 Republicans. This session there are 96 Democrats and 54 Republicans.

This year, he caucuses with the Republicans, and endorsed U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for president.

“I give Joe (Lieberman) all the credit in the world” for breaking with the ranks, he said.

He said the Democrats in Congress who tried to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship were wrong to do so.

“They should embrace Joe,” Saviello said.

His reason for caucusing with the Republicans is simple.

“They welcomed me,” he said. In contrast, the Democrats never invited him to their caucus, he said.

“I go where I’m wanted,” he said.

He said that as an independent he votes the way he feels is best. He wouldn’t say why, but at one point last year he was moved from a coveted seat in the back of the House chamber to a not-so-desirable one in the middle. He said he suspected it was for a vote he took.

“We do what we think is the right thing, and we pay the price,” he said.

Saviello said doesn’t have any regrets. This year, he won re-election by 77 percent, getting the sixth highest amount of votes of anyone in the House in a contested race. He beat Maxine Collins (D-Wilton) 3,611 to 1,055.