Maine
Janet Mills and Jared Golden hold leads in another Maine poll
Gov. Janet Mills and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, the Democrats atop Maine’s November poll, held leads in a brand new Maine ballot launched Thursday, regardless of a roiled economic system on the high of each voters’ minds and Republican election hopes.
The governor drew assist from 49 p.c of voters in contrast with 39 p.c for former Gov. Paul LePage. In a ranked-choice voting contest, Golden had 47 p.c to 39 p.c for former Rep. Bruce Poliquin and eight p.c for unbiased Tiffany Bond within the survey of 800 doubtless Maine voters by Portland-based Pan Atlantic Analysis.
Inflation and excessive prices have marked this midterm election for the unpopular President Joe Biden. Issues appeared bloody for Democrats when gasoline costs escalated within the spring, however they gained some momentum in the summertime after the U.S. Supreme Court docket ended federal abortion rights.
In current weeks, Republicans’ prospects have improved in nationwide polling. That has not but trickled right down to the Maine knowledge.
Public polling has been comparatively scant within the state’s greatest races, however the Pan Atlantic survey marked the fourth straight one wherein Mills held a double-digit lead on LePage, a longtime rival going again to her time as legal professional common.
Progress within the southern Maine suburbs has sophisticated the electoral image for LePage, who gained his 2010 and 2014 elections in three-way splits. Whereas unbiased Sam Hunkler is within the race, he solely gained 1 p.c assist on this ballot and appears unlikely to have an effect on the end result. FiveThirtyEight offers Mills a 91 p.c likelihood of successful.
The race between Golden and Poliquin has divided election forecasters, with Golden main polls up to now and elevating extra money, however the nationwide atmosphere tilting towards Poliquin and Republicans in a district that’s trending of their route. The Democrat held commanding polling leads in 2020 however solely beat Republican Dale Crafts by 6 proportion factors.
Nationwide teams are taking notice. The 2nd District has seen $25 million in advert spending and reservations by means of Election Day, in response to AdImpact knowledge from final week. Republicans are anticipated to outspend Democrats by $3.5 million, however that would shift earlier than Election Day.
They might take coronary heart within the coverage issues cited by Maine voters within the Pan Atlantic ballot. A whopping 71 p.c of voters stated inflation was essential of their voting choices, together with 81 p.c of Republicans. Subsequent highest have been well being care at 51 p.c, taxes at 50 p.c, jobs at 45 p.c and abortion at 39 p.c.