In the four-way Senate Democratic Primary, State Sen. Cynthia Dill of Cape Elizabeth has emerged the winner. Dill ran as a progressive candidate willing to take on Gov. Paul LePage. She had only just been elected to the State Senate in a special election last year. Dill and her challengers all said they are proud of their race and eager to push forward Democratic ideals in the fall campaign.

Cynthia Dill is a civil rights attorney who was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2006. She campaigned for an open state Senate seat vacated by former state Senator Larry Bliss in 2011. And she had barely settled into her new desk at the State House when she decided to run for the U.S. Senate in January. Competing against former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap and lagging in fundraising, Dill wasn't expected to have the name recognition or the cash to win. But during her campaign Dill was fond of saying that she is the same age as Republican Olympia Snowe was when she first ran for the U.S. Senate. And she joked on her Facebook page that she didn't like people telling her that she couldn't pull it off. She did, beating Dunlap, state Rep. Jon Hinck and political newcomer Benjamin Pollard.

"I'm thrilled. Thrilled and honored to be chosen by the Democratic Party to be their representative in this really important election," said Dill. "It's an historic election and I take very seriously my responsibility to be the voice of the Democrats."

Celebrating at the Bayside Bowl in Portland, Dill said she thinks the reason she won is that Democratic voters are looking for authenticity in candidates and for leaders who are willing to not only reach across the aisle but fight for their values. Matt Dunlap of Old Town sees it a little differently. His second place finish, he said, had everything to do with the fact that the three other candidates from southern Maine did not split the vote as much as they could have.

"Well, I just had so many wonderful contacts with people that were very, very supportive of my campaign, Dunlap said. "And I imagine the ones who were not supportive didn't come out to talk and I heard mostly from great supporters so I was enthusiastic after having those contacts, and by the way they just happen to be some of the best people there are in Maine."

Environmental attorney Jon Hinck said he has no regrets about his race, eventhough his defeat will mean he is out of politics for the first time in six years. He said he began the evening feeling optimistic and thinking he would win.

"When they didn't split they way they did, it allowed Senator Dill to dominate more, especially in the midcoast region and southern Maine," said Dunlap. "That ultimately, I think, was the tipping point in the race, and that, again, nothing to do with our campaign. It was how other campaigns performed against the apparent winner."

Benjamin Pollard skipped a campaign celebration. He barely raised any money and trailed the other candidates but reached by telephone at his home he said he thinks Sen. Dill and his other opponents did a good job campaigning in a race he describes as "cordial and collegial and thoroughly enjoyable." Pollard's only previous political experience was as a member of the Blue Hill Planning Board. He said he won that race as a write-in candidate and plans to attempt it again, soon.

"I have decided that I am going to continue on in the senate race, running as a write in candidate, which is an unconventional step to take," Pollard said. "What it does is it will allow me to continue to be part of the dialog."

For her part, Dill said, that's a dialogue that should include the following:

"I think on the front of everyone's mind are the opportunity for themselves and their families and neighbors to have jobs that pay a fair wage, to have access to affordable and effective healthcare and increased quality of life," she said. "I think the quality of life for middle class and lower income families has just dropped off precipitously, and that to me, is not what America is all about."

Dill said what voters want are politicians that will take steps to improve the lives of ordinary, working families and that's how she sees her role as a Democratic Senate candidate.