CARIBOU, Maine — About 1,300 Caribou and Connor Township residents voted during Caribou’s election Tuesday, which included the Democratic and Republican primary election, two state bond issues and the approval of the RSU 39 (Caribou and Stockholm school district) budget.
For United States senator, incumbent Sen. Susan Collins of the Republican Party received the most votes with a total of 626, while Amy Colter received four. Democratic candidates for senator included Rep. Sara Gideon, who received 307 votes, and Elizabeth Sweet and Bre Kidman, who received 114 and 27, respectively.
For the U.S. Congress, Rep. Jared Golden of the Democratic party received 436 votes, while Republican opponents Dale John Crafts received 246, Adrienne Bennett received 209 and Eric Brakey received 175.
Votes were close for state senators, with Republican Brian Vincent Schaefer receiving 515 votes and democratic incumbent Sen. Troy Jackson receiving 459.
Republican Susan Bernard received the most votes for State Legislature, representing District 149, with 491 votes. Republican incumbent Rep. John DeVeau received 181 votes while Democrat David White received 390.
For District 148, incumbent Democratic Rep. David McCrea received 23 votes and Republican Brian Redmond received 10.
Norman Fournier received 23 votes for District 3 county commissioner, Paul Underwood received 579 votes for a District 2 county commissioner and James Patrick Dunleavy received 437 votes for Aroostook County judge of probate.
Caribou and Connor residents favored both state bond questions. Question one, a $15 million bond for high-speed internet access in unserved or underserved areas which will match up to $30 million in funds from additional sources, received 978 yes votes and 357 no votes.
Question two, a $105 million transportation bond, received 1,035 yes votes and only 298 no votes.
Voters also showed overwhelming support for the RSU 39 budget, which only increased by about $89,000, but due to community valuations school officials say it will not result in a mill rate increase. A total of 942 voted in favor of the school budget while 279 were opposed.
