Democrat Deborah Simpson of Auburn appears to have defeated Republican incumbent Lois Snowe-Mello by about 100 votes for the Senate District 15 seat, according to unofficial town reports, both candidates said.

Simpson beat Snowe-Mello by 1,200 votes in Auburn, but her lead was mitigated by Snowe-Mello's strong showing in Durham, Poland and New Gloucester.

"I was expecting a squeaker and, frankly, I wasn't terribly optimistic," Simpson said early Wednesday morning. "As of now, I'm in celebration mode."

Snowe-Mello was seeking her third term in Maine's Senate and Simpson just completed her fourth term in the Maine House.

Snowe-Mello said she was surprised by the outcome.

"I was shocked," she said. "I think all the new registered voters made the difference. I think they voted Democrat."

Snowe-Mello said she was not conceding the race and was requesting a recount of the votes due to the apparent narrow margin of victory for her opponent.

Gary Bain, 64, an Auburn voter, said he cast his ballot for Snowe-Mello because she is a Republican.

"I know very little about Snowe-Mello, other than what I read in the paper," Bain said.

Other Auburn voters said they supported Simpson because they knew of her personally.

"I used to live across the street from Deborah," said Tracy Audet, 44, of Auburn. "She's a wonderful person.