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PORTLAND, Maine — Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has emerged victorious in the recent congressional race thanks to Maine’s ranked-choice voting system, according to election officials. This win, if confirmed, would mark Golden’s third victory in four election cycles within a district known for its contentious political battles.
The election saw Golden competing against Republican challenger Austin Theriault, who has signaled intentions to pursue a recount following the election results. His campaign reiterated this request on Friday evening, indicating a close margin that warranted the need for further review.
Golden expressed gratitude to his supporters while acknowledging Theriault’s right to contest the results. “I won the election, but I understand the importance of ensuring that every vote is accurately counted,” he stated.
Shawn Roderick, Theriault’s campaign manager, emphasized the necessity of a recount, citing the narrowness of the race. “This was an historically close election, and we believe there are inconsistencies that must be addressed through a full recount,” Roderick said, urging for thorough verification of each vote cast.
The Associated Press has held off on declaring a winner in the race, awaiting additional information from the Maine secretary of state’s office to assess whether the election outcome withstands the anticipated recount process.
Maine’s 2nd District, characterized by its rural landscapes and industries such as lobster fishing and logging, has consistently supported President-elect Donald Trump in previous elections. The latest count of first-place votes revealed that neither Golden nor Theriault secured a majority, with Golden leading by approximately 2,000 votes but both candidates receiving less than 49% of the total due to around 12,000 ballots that were either left blank or featured write-in entries.
The fluctuation in votes led to the activation of Maine’s ranked-choice process. This involved transporting all district ballots to Augusta for authentication, scanning, and recalibration, a procedure that was communicated live by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Votes from blank ballots or those cast for write-in candidates were redistributed according to voters’ second preferences to establish a clear victor.
As the recount is set to unfold, it could take weeks to finalize results. Election officials are required to certify the outcomes and submit them to the governor before the state’s November 25 deadline, although there are provisions in place for recounts.
This congressional race stood out nationally as one of the more fiercely contested battles, given the substantial campaign spending—around $50 million—dedicated to this particular congressional seat. Both political parties have been vying for control of the House of Representatives, making this district a focal point of strategic investment.
Golden has cultivated a reputation for independence, often appealing to both sides of the political aisle. He highlighted his collaborative efforts with Republicans and Democrats alike, asserting, “I’ve cast more votes against President Biden than any other Democrat in the House.”
However, Golden faced criticism from Theriault’s campaign regarding his stance on gun control, particularly in light of recent tragic events in Lewiston, where a mass shooting reignited discussions around assault weapon regulations.
Theriault, a newcomer to the political scene who first won a seat in the Maine House in 2022, framed Golden as too liberal for the district. He portrayed himself as a unifying candidate, emphasizing the need for moderation and bipartisanship. “We need more balance and less extremism in Washington,” he stated, outlining his commitment to represent all constituents effectively.
The dynamics of this district have historically favored Golden, as it has repeatedly elected him after narrow contests resolved through ranked-choice voting mechanisms. Golden first gained his seat by defeating Republican incumbent Bruce Poliquin in 2018 and subsequently retained it in 2022.
Maine’s ranked-choice voting system, introduced by voters in 2016, allows constituents to rank their candidates for various offices. If no candidate achieves a simple majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, leading to the redistribution of their votes based on the next preferences until a winner is determined.
The 2nd Congressional District is notable not only for its expansive geography, reaching the northern extremities of Maine, but also for its dependence on industries like logging and lobster fishing, which play a pivotal role in the area’s economy. Furthermore, Maine is one of the two states that divides electoral votes by congressional district—a system Trump has benefited from, securing the state’s 2nd District vote during his three runs for the presidency.
In contrast, Maine’s other electoral votes—two based on statewide results and one from the 1st District, which encompasses liberal stronghold Portland—have thus far been awarded to Democratic candidates. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree successfully won her ninth term in the 1st District, overcoming challenges from both a Republican opponent and an independent candidate.
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abcnews.go.com