In Senate District 16, Karen Kusiak defeated Steve Russell on Tuesday in the Democratic primary.

Unofficial results late Wednesday afternoon, which did not include the part of Unity in the district, showed Kusiak defeating Russell, 2,013-1,076.

Karen Kusiak

Kusiak, 65, an outgoing assistant professor at Colby College, has served in the Maine House of Representatives and on the board of directors of School Administrative District 49. She now is on the board of the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences at Good Will-Hinckley.

Kusiak said she was running because she had a long history of public service, both as an elected official and as a citizen lobbyist. She said district residents are concerned about their taxes, revenue sharing and the state’s supposed commitment to funding 55 percent of educational Essential Programs and Services funding.

Kusiak now will take on Republican Sen. Scott Cyrway in the November election. Cyrway, who lives in Benton, was unchallenged for the Republican nomination and has been in the Senate for four years.

Senate District 16 consists of various parts of Kennebec County, including portions of Waterville; the towns of Fairfield, Winslow, Clinton and Albion; and a portion of Unity.

Colin Ellis — 861-9253

cellis@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @colinoellis