Wife beats husband in Maine municipal election

WATERVILLE, Maine A Maine woman has beaten her husband in an election they say was more about being involved in their community than about partisan politics.

The Morning Sentinel reports that Democrat Jennifer Johnson of Waterville won the Ward 1 warden position over Republican David Johnson on Tuesday by a 127-76 margin.

They were nominated by their respective party city committee caucuses in August.

Although their race drew national attention, they say they ran against each other to show the importance of public service and to show that Democrats and Republicans can get along.

"Jennifer and I agree on 90 percent of the issues. We just disagree on the ones that are more important," David Johnson told CBS affiliate WABI-TV in Bangor before the election.

The parents of three have been married about 10 years.

In Maine, the warden's job is to oversee voting at polling places on Election Day. That includes distributing ballots and counting them at the end of the day.

The Johnsons told WABI they also ran in part because they have started a campaign to open a food pantry program at a local school.

"It's horrible to hear the guidance counselors at the school say the worst day of the year is the first day before summer vacation when the kids are crying because summer is going to be a long hunger time. It's just heartbreaking," said Jennifer Johnson.

Their approach to opening the pantry is representative of their political views. Jennifer wants tax dollars involved, while David thinks local businesses should step up to help.