Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

7:33 p.m.

 Democrats Rosa Scarcelli and Steve Rowe worked southern Maine voters this evening as people came to Portland and Scarborough to cast votes after work.

 Rowe, of Portland, stood outside the Italian Heritage Center and said hello to many familiar faces.

 "You're the next governor!" one woman said. "I'll vote for you."

 In the parking lot a few rows away, Rowe's daughter tried on a bear head -- part of the costume that was featured in one of his campaign commercials. His wife Amanda said it was a surprise for later on at Rowe's election night party at Bull Feeney's in Portland.

 "Everybody loved the bear!" Amanda said.

 "Not everybody," Rowe replied.

 Down in Scarborough, Scarcelli, 40, wore her signature orange sweater as she greeted voters. She felt encouraged because of the level of activity on her Twitter account and Facebook page, but she had no firm polling numbers to back it up.

 "You look even better in person than you do on TV!" a woman said as she walked in to vote.

 A man who used to be a pediatrician in Wilton, Scarcelli's hometown, stopped to ask how her parents were doing.

 As she stood with a giant "Vote Here Tuesday" banner behind her, Scarcelli wrapped up a long day -- along with many of the other 11 candidates -- spent wooing voters across the state.

 "We're feeling very strong," she said. "There's a tremendous amount of momentum. Hopefully the people who really want to see new ideas will come out."

5:00 p.m.--Lewiston and Brunswick

 Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell shook hands outside the Pejepscot Terrace polling place in Brunswick this afternoon in a final bid to pick up a few votes.

 Mitchell introduced herself to voters as they trickled in.

 "I'm an independent, but if you make it to November...," one woman said as she left the building.

 "We'll talk!" Mitchell said.

 Mitchell, one of four Democrats on the ballot, started the day in Bangor where she ran into Stephen and Tabitha King. She and the other candidates hit several places throughout the day, with every one of them making stops in Lewiston, but branching out from there.

 One woman in Brunswick leaned in to talk to Mitchell, praising her for her performance in the debates.

 "I'm so glad you were unapologetic about what government does," the woman said.

 Mitchell, 69, the first woman speaker of the House, said she's not certain if she'll win, but she's gotten vibes from voters.

 "I have had such a fabulous response," she said. "Everywhere I've been, there's been a lot of recognition. If I don't win, I'm at peace. I know I've had the support of extraordinary people."

 In Lewiston, Democrat Patrick McGowan hit two polling places before hopping aboard his airplane to head for Bangor.

 He started the day in Fort Kent and will end it in Pittsfield, where he'll see his parents.

 "To be this close to the election and have this many undecideds is good for me," he said as she stood outside the Lewiston Armory. "My opponents are such known commodities, except for Rosa."

 Rosa Scarcelli and Steve Rowe are campaigning in southern Maine. Mitchell, Scarcelli and Rowe will all have their election night parties in Portland, while McGowan will be in Augusta.

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