WATERVILLE -- Republican Mayor Paul R. LePage will have competition in the Nov. 4 election if he chooses to run again.

City Councilor Rosemary J. Winslow, D-Ward 3, was nominated for mayor Monday night at the Democratic city caucus.

"I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to put a positive face on this diverse city at the local, regional, state and federal level," Winslow told a packed city council chambers where the caucus was held.

"I want the opportunity to share this city's strengths such as our revitalized downtown, our educational facilities and most importantly, our educated workforce."

Winslow has been a councilor nine years and was secretary of the city's Charter Commission. She is intergovernmental liaison for U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud.

LePage, reached after the caucus Monday, said he was aware Winslow was planning to run for mayor and is 99 percent sure he will run for re-election.

"It's fine; that's good," LePage said of Winslow's nomination. "I have never run in Waterville, Maine, without competition."

He said he believes he can defeat Winslow.

"The difference between Rosemary and I is, I lower taxes and she's going to raise taxes and that's what it's all about," he said. "Just look at the voting record."

LePage was elected mayor in 2003 and before that, served two terms as a Republican city councilor representing Ward 1. He is general manager for Marden's Surplus & Salvage stores statewide.

Winslow said Monday that she is in a unique position to connect local needs to regional, state and federal entities, having worked with the state Legislature and Michaud's office.

"We are only 20 minutes away from the State House and need to continue the work that many in the community, along with our Legislative delegation, accomplished in getting a bill through the Legislature that allows not only the city of Waterville to re-develop the Hathaway building but also provides that same access in other former mill communities throughout the state," she said.

Tim Trafford nominated Winslow for mayor and the nomination was seconded by City Councilor Thomas R.W. Longstaff, D-Ward 6.

In other action Monday, Planning Board member Erik Thomas was nominated to run for city councilor in Ward 4, a position now held by Dana W. Sennett, the council chairman.

Sennett defeated Thomas, 20-12, in a secret ballot held for Ward 4 residents.

Thomas, chairman of the Waterville Arts Commission and a member of the Board of Directors for the Waterville Main Street Program, asked those residents for their support.

"I think it's time for some change at city council and I hope you'll consider me for your vote," he said.

Sennett said he has served on the council 12 years, has a child in the school system, and has made schools a priority during his tenure. He also has worked to help improve roads, he said.

"I've served under four different mayors," he said. "There's been some tumultuous years and there have been some good years and we've always weathered the storm."

After the vote, Sennett, an advertising executive for the Morning Sentinel, said he was not surprised he had some opposition at the caucus.

"I had heard that there was another candidate interested and I'm pleased to think we have people interested in running for city council," he said. "Too often we don't have choices at all. I'm also glad that I was nominated for the Democratic city council position and I hope to do well in November."

In a surprise development, Board of Education Chairman Lionel "Lee" A. Cabana, D-Ward 2, said he was not running for re-election to the board.

"It's time that the board sees a new face and gets some new perspective on things," Cabana said after the wards voted. "They deserve a fresh view. It's been 10 or 11 years. We're not born to these things. There's no coronation, so I'm all right."

He said he has enjoyed his tenure and camaraderie with the board and superintendent.

"I'll miss it; it's been great," he said.

State Rep. Marilyn Canavan, D-Waterville, was elected caucus chairwoman and ran the event. She stepped down as chairwoman of the Democratic City Committee, but was elected vice chairman, replacing Henry Beck, who stepped down and is running for her seat in the House of Representatives. Colleen Madigan was elected new committee chairwoman; Lynn Mavrinac was elected secretary; and Trafford was elected treasurer.

Maryanne Bernier was nominated to run for re-election to the Board of Education in Ward 4. Therese Doyon was nominated to run for ward clerk; and David O'Heir was nominated to run for warden.

In Ward 6, Longstaff was nominated to run for re-election to his council seat; Thomas Tilton was nominated to run for re-election to his seat on the Board of Education; Joan Hallee, was nominated to run for warden; and her husband, Roland Hallee, was nominated to run for ward clerk.

John O'Donnell was nominated to fill a temporary vacancy on the council in Ward 5, a seat he now occupies. In Ward 2, Jorge Acero was nominated to run for Board of Education; Mary-Anne Beal was nominated to run for city council to replace Beck; and Nathaniel White was nominated to run for warden. Joan Sanzenbacher and Monty Smith were nominated to serve on the Kennebec Water District Board of Trustees. They currently serve in those positions.

Canavan said she felt the caucus went smoothly and was well-attended.

"We have a good slate of candidates and some good people running," she said.

The city Republican caucus is scheduled for Aug. 4.