In a four-way race for two at-large seats, challenger John Anton was the top vote-getter, receiving 6,320 votes (29 percent) for the three-year term. At-large incumbent Jill Duson retained her seat for a third term with 6,029 votes (28 percent).
Incumbent James Cloutier, who received 5,243 votes (24 percent), was unseated. Challenger Mark Reilly came in fourth with 4,172 votes (19 percent).
In the four-way District 3 race, Daniel Skolnik won the seat held by Donna Carr, who didn't seek a second three-year term for health reasons.
Skolnik received 989 votes (34 percent). William Linnell received 713 votes (24 percent), while Anthony Donovan received 709 (24 percent.) Richard Farnsworth received 542 votes (18 percent).
Anton supports The Olympia Cos. of Portland over Ocean Properties Ltd. of Portsmouth, N.H., to redevelop the pier, and that backing may be enough to break the council's deadlock on the issue. Cloutier had supported Ocean Properties.
"I don't think I was elected because of the pier," Anton said. "It's one of many issues before the council. I think people are anxious for change and they will be expecting results. I'm looking forward to working with all of the councilors."
Anton, who is a Green Independent Party member, also increases the number of Greens on the Democrat-dominated council to three. Anton, 42, runs an affordable-housing investment firm.
Portland's voter turnout was less than expected, with about 26 percent of the city's 40,345 active registered voters turning out at the polls. City Clerk Linda Cohen said she expected 30 percent to 35 percent.
The council is deadlocked 4-4 in choosing a developer for the city-owned pier, with the ninth councilor recusing himself for a professional conflict of interest.
Duson, Cloutier and Carr supported Ocean Properties over Olympia.
Both companies have been competing since February for the opportunity to build a hotel, office building and other waterfront amenities worth more than $100 million.
The 85-year-old pier and its large industrial shed were formerly used by Bath Iron Works and Cianbro Corp.
Portland officials rezoned the property last year and sought mixed-use redevelopment proposals, largely because the pier needs at least $13 million in repairs and because the city has been unable to find new tenants for the shed.
During the campaign, Skolnik, who replaces Carr, said he supported Ocean Properties, while Anton, who replaces Cloutier, said he supported Olympia.
Both Skolnik and Anton criticized the four-month process of reviewing the two proposals, which was led by Cloutier and Duson.
Either company needs at least five council votes to win the opportunity to negotiate with city officials.
Cloutier, 53, is a real estate attorney. Duson, 53, is director of the state Bureau of Rehabilitation Services at the Maine Department of Labor. Neither could be reached for comment.
Although Portland's municipal elections are nonpartisan, some voters pay attention to party affiliation and this year's campaigns brimmed with accusations of party politics.
The council currently has six Democrats -- including Cloutier and Duson, Carr -- two Greens and a Republican.
Maine's largest city is dominated by Democrats.
Portland has 18,173 are registered Democrats, 13,401 voters who are not enrolled in a party, 6,743 Republicans and 2,028 Greens, said City Clerk Linda Cohen.
Democrats' hold on the council weakened last year with the election of Kevin Donoghue and David Marshall, both Greens.
Skolnik, a 39-year-old criminal-defense and civil-rights lawyer, is a Democrat.
District 3 includes the Libbytown, Stroudwater, Nason's Corner, Rosemont and university neighborhoods.
The council has five district seats and four at-large seats.
Staff Writer Kelley Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6328 or at:
kbouchard@pressherald.com
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