FARMINGTON -- Dennis Haszko won the Democratic nomination Sunday for the House District 89 seat vacated by Janet Mills, whom the Legislature selected to be the state's first woman attorney general.

Ninety-four Democrats from Farmington and Industry held a caucus at the University of Maine at Farmington to pick a candidate to succeed Mills.

They cast secret ballots after hearing 10-minute presentations from three candidates and supporting comments from the voters.

The candidates were Haszko, Leigh Welch and Jeremy Smith. Haszko won with 49 votes. Welch had 35 and Smith, 10.

The special election to fill the seat will be held in Farmington and Industry on Feb. 3, and Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for an intense, monthlong campaign that is expected to include a strong get-out-the-vote push and a drive to encourage early voting.

Haszko, 41, is an attorney, holds a degree in electrical engineering and works as a registered patent agent with Eaton Peabody Patent Group.

He said he works with clients to help them protect their creative inventions and expand their businesses. He has also worked for the nonprofit Maine Science & Technology Foundation.

He is an active member of Old South Congregational Church; is on the board of directors of Franklin County's rape crisis center, Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services; is a Little League coach and a volunteer at Mallett School, which his two sons attend; and worked on Farmington's comprehensive plan.

Candidates in the special election must register with the Secretary of State's Office by 5 p.m. today.

The Republicans, in a caucus held two weeks ago, selected Lance Harvell of Farmington as their candidate.

Harvell, 45, works as a process specialist at Verso Paper Co. in Jay and has run strong campaigns against Mills three times. In 2006, he lost by about 300 votes.

To vote early, residents can go to their town offices and request a ballot that can be filled out at the time or mailed in. Both parties also are distributing applications for absentee ballots. Farmington Town Clerk Leann Pinkham said she already has a stack of absentee ballot applications in hand.

Betty Jespersen -- 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.com