The Republican candidates for the 2nd Congressional District mixed it up in Augusta Saturday as both men work to gain momentum ahead of the June 11 primary.
Rep. Mike Soboleski of Phillips and Rep. Austin Theriault of Fort Kent are competing for the right to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in November.
The Saturday debate — the first between the two men — kicked off the second day of the Maine Republican Party Convention, where more than 1,000 delegates and others gathered to gear up for a big political year.
And while Theriault and Soboleski largely agreed on border security and support for veterans, they offered different visions for their first action if elected to Washington.
Soboleski, a retired Marine and small businessman, said he would work with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) to find a way to punish Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the country’s COVID-19 response.
“It would be to put in any kind of legislation I can to help Rand Paul bring Anthony Fauci to justice,” he said. “To hold that man accountable.”
Theriault, a former NASCAR driver, said his first act would be to “fund the completion of Trump’s border wall.”
“That’s by far the No. 1 issue if you’re talking to Republicans, Democrats or independents right now,” Theriault said.
Trump endorsed Theriault in the race and recent fundraising reports show Theriault with a large financial lead. Theriault has raised more than $1 million, while Soboleski has brought in just over $100,000, according to Federal Election Commission reports.
Soboleski worked to draw contrasts, criticizing Theriault for a vote in the Legislature to create safe injection sites for those with substance use disorder.
“I was against that, Rep. Theriault you voted in favor of those safe injection sites,” Soboleski said.
Theriault shot back: “How dare you stand on the grave of dead kids Mike.”
Theriault said he has family members who suffer from addiction and that stigmatizing their illness will not help them recover.
“As a Christian we need to reach these people and we need to bring them into recovery,” he said.
When asked if they support embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson, Theriault said he “wouldn’t comment on whether I would support him or not.”
He said he opposes the aid to Ukraine recently approved, which drew applause from the audience.
Soboleski said he doesn’t approve of Johnson and that he also opposes the foreign aid package because it provides aid to Gaza and Israel. He said he’s firmly in support of Israel.
“How many people are going to die just because we funded both sides of the fight?” he said.
The candidates emphasized different reasons they believe they can defeat Golden in November.
Theriault said he’s got the financial backing and the ground game to get the votes needed to win.
“Our campaign, I’m proud to say, has not only blew past the million-dollar threshold of money raised primarily from Maine but we’re going to continue to work hard to get people on board who are not consistently involved in the political process,” he said.
Soboleski highlighted his military experience, saying he’s ready to take on Golden, a fellow veteran.
“Sending another veteran up against a veteran, that’s what’s going to win that CD2,” Soboleski said.
While influenza remains the top concern for Maine public health experts, other viruses are also currently circulating, including norovirus and COVID-19.
“Influenza is clearly the main event,” said Dr. Cheryl Liechty, a MaineHealth infectious disease specialist. “The curve in terms of the rise of influenza cases was really steep.”
Maine reported 1,343 flu cases for the week ending Jan. 3, an uptick from the 1,283 cases recorded the previous week, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalizations increased to 147 from 108 during the same time periods.
“I hope the peak is now,” Liechty said, “but I’m not really sure.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday that all of New England, except for Vermont, is currently experiencing “very high” levels of influenza. Vermont is in the “moderate” category.
“What we are seeing, overwhelmingly, is the flu,” said Andrew Donovan, associate vice president of infection prevention for Northern Light Health. “We are seeing both respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in our patients.”
Norovirus also appears to be circulating, although due to its short duration and because it’s less severe than the flu, public health data on the illness — which causes gastrointestinal symptoms that typically resolve within a few days — is not as robust.
“Norovirus is the gastrointestinal scourge of New England winters and cruise ships,” Liechty said.
According to surveillance data at wastewater treatment plants in Portland, Bangor and Lewiston, norovirus levels detected in those communities are currently “high.” The treatment plants participate in WastewaterSCAN, which reports virus levels in wastewater through a program run by Stanford University and Emory University.
Dr. Genevieve Whiting, a Westbrook pediatrician and secretary of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said viruses are prevalent right now, especially the flu and norovirus.
“For my patients right now, it’s a rare encounter that I hear everyone in a family has been healthy,” Whiting said. “I’ve had families come in and say their entire family has had norovirus. Several of my patients have had ER visits for suspected norovirus, where they needed IV fluids because they were dehydrated.”
Both Liechty and Whiting said they are seeing less respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, likely because there has been good uptake of the new RSV vaccine, which is recommended for older people and those who are pregnant. The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023.
“The RSV vaccine has been a real success, as RSV was a leading cause of hospitalizations for babies,” Whiting said.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases increased to 610 in the final week of 2025, compared to 279 the previous week. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at primary care, pharmacies and clinics across the state.
“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet,” Liechty said, “you should beat a hasty path to get your shot.”
Defensemen Max Wanner was re-assigned to the Maine Mariners from the Providence Bruins on Thursday. Defenseman Michael Underwood was also re-assigned to Maine.
Wanner, 22, was acquired by the Boston Bruins when they traded Trent Federic to Edmonton last March. He played in 15 games for the AHL Providence Bruins at the end of last season, and seven this season.
Underwood returns for his second stint with the Mariners. He appeared in 67 games with Maine last season.
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