Maine: Janet Mills

AUGUSTA, Maine — Members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Thursday got an overview of the legal relationship between the state of Maine and the American Indian tribes whose presence here predates the arrival of European explorers.

Attorney Henry Sockbeson, a native of Indian Island who now lives in Massachusetts, spoke at the invitation of the committee, according to committee co-chairman Sen. Lawrence Bliss, D-South Portland.

“Nine of the 14 members of the committee are new to the Legislature this session,” Bliss explained in an interview after the presentation. The committee has invited a number of speakers to provide broad background on the areas within its jurisdiction, which includes most legislative proposals that affect the tribes, he said.

FARMINGTON, Maine — Voters are heading to the polls in a special election to fill a House of Representatives seat left vacant after Janet Mills was chosen as Maine’s new attorney general.

Residents of Farmington and Industry will cast ballots Tuesday to fill the House District 89 seat.

The candidates are Democrat Dennis Haszko and Republican Lance Harvell, both of Farmington.

No matter who wins, Democrats will maintain a sizable majority in the Legislature.

Farmington selectmen hope a special election to fill state House District 89 will be held on Jan. 22, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported today.

The seat is being vacated by Janet Mills (D-Farmington), who was elected Attorney General. The district also includes the neighboring town of Industry.

So far, two candidates have emerged for the seat: Lance Harvell (R-Farmington) and Dennis Haszko (D-Farmington).

Lance Harvell (R-Farmington) will run for the state House seat being vacated by Janet Mills (D-Farmington).

Mills is leaving the seat after being elected attorney general by the Legislature Wednesday.