LIVERMORE FALLS — Incumbent state Rep. L. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, gained the House District 81 seat for a third term. He got 69 percent of the vote to Democrat Peggy Dwyer’s 31 percent.

Knight, 66, a retired banker, won the election 2,269 to 1,452. He swept Leeds, Livermore, Livermore Falls and Wayne, the towns in the district.

The closest margin for Knight was in his hometown, with only 148 votes separating him and Dwyer, 53, of Livermore. But Knight gained the widest margin in Dwyer’s hometown, with 267 votes separating them.

Dwyer, who is in commercial real estate services, said they ran a good, clean district race.

“I think one thing this district can be proud of is no one ran negative attacks,” she said. “The people have spoken and we wish the new administration the best of luck.”

Dwyer also lost to Knight in 2008.

“I think it was a great day for Maine’s working people,” Knight said. “It’s going to be a more vibrant economy. We’re going to see jobs and real tax reform.”

dperry@sunjournal.com