The close race for Hancock County probate judge became even closer Thursday following a recount by the Secretary of State’s Office. But the recount didn’t change the outcome.
It confirmed Republican Will Blaisdell, who has served as the county’s probate judge since 2014, as the winner.
Unofficial results prior to the recount gave Blaisdell of Ellsworth a 57-vote lead over his challenger, Democrat Lynne Williams of Bar Harbor. Blaisdell’s lead shrank to 25 votes out of nearly 28,000 cast following the recount, which Williams requested.
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Probate judges, who must be licensed attorneys in Maine and Maine residents, decide on matters involving estates and trusts, adoptions and name changes, guardianship, and protective proceedings.
The final count gave Blaisdell 13,924 votes to Williams’ 13,899.
Blaisdell is the latest attorney in his family to run the family firm Blaisdell & Blaisdell, which his great-grandfather founded in Ellsworth 1911.