Former U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin simply received the Republican major in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, establishing a rematch with U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat who unseated him in 2018.
The Bangor Each day Information and Determination Desk HQ, its nationwide election outcomes companion, referred to as the race at 10:23 p.m. With 24 p.c of estimated votes in, Poliquin led with 61.4 p.c to 38.6 p.c for challenger Liz Caruso, a Caratunk selectman.
His victory marks the start of what might be a charged congressional election, as Republicans have made Maine’s 2nd District a prime goal this fall as they appear to take again management of the U.S. Home. Golden is one among solely 5 Democratic incumbents working for reelection in a district additionally received by former President Donald Trump in 2020, in line with the College of Virginia’s Heart for Politics.
Poliquin, a former two-term consultant who misplaced to Golden in 2018, was the heavy favourite within the major towards Caruso, a relative political newcomer who labored on the anti-Central Maine Energy Co. hall marketing campaign however was working for Congress to Poliquin’s proper. He raised greater than $2.1 million going into the first, in line with obligatory marketing campaign finance filings, in contrast with simply $36,000 for Caruso.
Poliquin, additionally a former state treasurer, received an open seat in 2014 over then-state Sen. Emily Cain, D-Orono, and defeated Cain once more in 2016. He narrowly misplaced to Golden in 2018 within the first Maine election to be determined by a ranked-choice runoff.
Ranked-choice voting can be in play once more this yr as lawyer Tiffany Bond of Portland, who earned simply shy of 6 p.c of the vote in 2018, additionally certified for the poll as an unenrolled candidate.
The key social gathering candidates are coming into the overall election cycle with related quantities of cash. Poliquin reported simply over $1.9 million money available as of Might 25, whereas Golden reported about $70,000 much less. Exterior teams have additionally pre-booked thousands and thousands in TV adverts.
The 2nd District underwent minor modifications beneath redistricting, with Augusta among the many municipalities newly within the sprawling rural district. The change marginally advantages Democrats. If the 2020 presidential election have been held beneath the brand new maps, President Joe Biden would have picked up about 4,100 extra votes within the 2nd District, however nonetheless would have misplaced it.
Ryan Traske, 35, was among the many Republican voters who forged a poll for Poliquin in Augusta on Tuesday. He cited a private connection to the previous congressman.
“Bruce is a pleasant man,” Traske mentioned. “My entire household is aware of him.”
BDN author Caitlin Andrews contributed to this report.
