Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) fended off a competitive challenger on election night, defeating Republican Austin Theriault in a district former President Donald Trump has won three times in a row.
The Associated Press called the race for Golden on Friday, Nov. 15, at 8.50 p.m., 10 days after the election. Golden received 49.9% to Theriault’s 49.8% of the vote with 99% of votes counted. Theriault had already called for a recount.
Despite the seat having a +5 Republican advantage and polling showing Theriault ahead by 3 percentage points in the months leading up to the race, Golden managed to skate by and secure a fourth term in the House — likely thanks to his being one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress. He often voted outside his party on key policy areas, such as immigration, and chose not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris or President Joe Biden.
The result hands Democrats their 212th seat in the House of Representatives. Republicans have the majority with 218 seats declared, with five seats still up for grabs.
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Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is consequential as the state is one of two that allocates electoral votes based on the congressional district. The 2nd District voted for Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024.