Maine
Former GOP rep must hold off conservative challenge in Maine
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — A former Republican congressman is bidding to return to his previous seat in Maine, however he should first maintain off a problem from a fellow social gathering member.
Bruce Poliquin represented Maine’s 2nd Congressional District from 2015 to 2019 till shedding to the present seat holder, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. Golden’s victory over Poliquin was the primary congressional election determined by ranked-choice voting in U.S. historical past.
This 12 months, Poliquin is hoping to win a rematch over Golden in one of the intently watched races of the 2022 midterm elections. However first, he should stave off a problem from Liz Caruso, the primary selectman of the tiny city of Caratunk, within the June 14 major.
“The final is among the prime races in the US,” mentioned Brent Littlefield, a spokesperson for Poliquin’s marketing campaign.
The 2nd District is an enormous, largely rural district that’s politically blended, often aggressive and consists of a lot of the state’s northern and western space. The biggest metropolis within the district is Lewiston, which is 35 miles from Portland and is the biggest metropolis in inland Maine with about 37,000 residents. The final election poll will even embody Tiffany Bond, an unbiased candidate who has filed papers to run.
The district stands in stark distinction to the first District in Maine, which is represented by Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree and is strongly liberal. Former President Donald Trump gained the 2nd District handily in 2020, the identical 12 months Golden was reelected.
Poliquin is a businessman who additionally served as Maine’s state treasurer for 2 years earlier than turning into a congressman. He is operating a marketing campaign on guarantees of curbing authorities spending, supporting small companies and halting undocumented immigration.
Poliquin mentioned he determined to run once more due to a Washington agenda he described as “massive authorities socialism” and runaway inflation.
“I got here out once more from semiretirement as a result of our nation and our state are in serious trouble,” he mentioned.
Caruso, along with being the highest official in a city of about 80, is a former engineer and present Maine information who mentioned she is operating for Congress to return authorities to the individuals. She is operating a marketing campaign that’s to the political proper of Poliquin, although they’re comparable on quite a few key points, together with immigration and native management.
“Rural Mainers aren’t searching for the candidate that’s the wealthiest. They’re searching for the person who will signify them one of the best,” Caruso mentioned.
Poliquin far outraised Caruso within the lead as much as the first. He has raised greater than $2 million whereas Caruso raised about $37,000.
The first is more likely to be the final of its type in Maine. The Maine Legislature voted to modify to a semi-open type of primaries in 2024.
Nevertheless, “we’ll be old skool for this one,” mentioned Emily Prepare dinner, a spokesperson for the Maine Division of the Secretary of State. Meaning voters who need to take part within the major should enroll as Republicans.