Three of the four people who filed to run for Augusta’s two House seats have dropped out, leaving both parties to choose new candidates.

And there’s a vacancy in a Sidney/Oakland district as well.

At the March filing deadline, it appeared the match-ups would be:

• House 56: incumbent Rep. Kim Silsby, a Democrat, against Aubrey Knorr, a Republican. Both have since dropped out.

On Wednesday, Augusta Democrats chose Anna Blodgett as their candidate.

• House 57: incumbent Rep. Patsy Crockett, a Democrat, against Republican Bonnie Jean Tucker. Tucker has since left the race.

And, in House 78, which includes Sidney and most of Oakland, Democrat Jeremy Caron of Sidney has pulled out of the race. On Thursday, Sam Bromberg, 33, of Oakland, announced he will ask the local Democratic caucus to choose him as their replacement candidate.

Republicans will meet at 6:30 p.m. July 21, also at city hall, to elect replacement candidates for both Augusta races.

In a statement, Augusta GOP Chairman Chuck Mahaleris said they are looking for a certain brand of Republican.

"We are sorry that Aubrey Knorr and Bonnie Tucker are not able to continue in their races," Mahaleris said. "Their lives have taken them away from the political contests and we respect their decision. However, we need to elect strong, Republican leaders who understand that prosperity can never be achieved by increasing the tax burden on average Mainers.”