Maine
Winner of Maine's 2nd Congressional District seat still undetermined in close race
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, a moderate known for defying party orthodoxy, was defending his seat in Congress against Austin Theriault, a stock car driver and Republican state lawmaker, but the tight race was still too early to call Thursday.
The matchup between Golden and Theriault is one of a handful of pivotal races with a chance to influence control of the U.S. House of Representatives during a competitive election year. It played out in the largest congressional district by area on the East Coast, a largely rural part of Maine where former President Donald Trump has proven very popular with voters.
Thursday afternoon, Golden and Theriault were in a tight race with some of the vote yet to be counted. Theriault requested a recount Thursday, although the final tallies were not yet finished.
Golden is a former Marine in his third term representing the 2nd Congressional District, which is typically described as a swing district. The district covers a vast part of Maine that includes a handful of small cities but is perhaps best known as the home of traditional northern New England industries such as lobster fishing and logging.
During the campaign, Golden touted his ability to work with members of either political party along with his advocacy on behalf of the lobster industry, which is the lifeblood of the region’s economy. He declared himself the winner of the race Wednesday, though it has not been called by The Associated Press.
“Anyone who has observed this race knows that this was my toughest election yet. Across the country, no Democrat has withstood stronger headwinds from the top of the ticket, the pundits and the organized opposition,” Golden said, wearing a flannel shirt and blue jeans at a news conference in Lewiston.
Theriault, who was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2022, spent much of the campaign portraying Golden as too liberal for the district. Although Theriault had the backing of Trump, he also attempted to portray himself as a potential uniter during a divided time in Washington.
Theriault said Wednesday that he was “well within the margin” where a recount was possible “and every vote should be counted.” Thursday, he made that request formal.
Maine has no mandatory recounts even in close elections. But the state does allow candidates to request a recount. The state does not require a deposit for a recount if the margin of victory is 1% or less for statewide or multicounty races.
“We must work together to ensure the Mainers’ voices are heard and the final result reflects the will of the people,” said Theriault campaign manager Shawn Roderick.
Golden “has trust and faith in the process of determining the victor, and is ready for a recount if one is necessary,” said Mario Moretto, a spokesperson for the congressman.
It was also possible neither candidate would crack 50% of the total vote, and that would necessitate a ranked choice count. There was no third-party candidate on the ballot, but write-in candidates were still possible, and some voters used that option.
Golden was first elected to Congress in 2018, when he needed the ranked choice voting count to defeat Republican incumbent Rep Bruce Poliquin.
What to know about the 2024 election:
News outlets globally count on the AP for accurate U.S. election results. Since 1848, the AP has been calling races up and down the ballot. Support us. Donate to the AP.
Golden has held onto his seat despite Trump dominating the district in recent presidential elections. Maine is one of two states to apportion electoral votes by congressional district — Nebraska is the other — and Trump has won his sole New England electoral vote in Maine’s 2nd District three times.
In the 1st Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree won her ninth term against Republican challenger Ron Russell and independent Ethan Alcorn.
Maine (WABI) – Traffic has been reduced to a single lane on I-95 southbound near mile marker 171.
We have a reporter on scene who saw at least one damaged vehicle.
We’ve reached out to State Police, but we haven’t heard back yet.
We’ll update you with more information as it becomes available.
Copyright 2025 WABI. All rights reserved.
State environmental regulators issued a notice of violation to a Penobscot County town this week after it allegedly failed to follow rules when it demolished an asbestos-laden building.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection said that the town of Patten violated several asbestos management regulations when it tore down the historic recreation center on Founders Street in April.
Following an onsite inspection and a video conference call with town officials, the DEP issued the notice of violation on Tuesday.
The town’s violations include not notifying the DEP prior to demolition, not using a state-licensed asbestos removal contractor and failing to use proper asbestos abatement work practices.
“The DEP is requiring Patten to take corrective actions but did not impose a fine,” said Deputy Commissioner David Madore on Friday.
Town officials told DEP investigators in the late April video conference call that a January 2024 survey identified asbestos in the siding and sections of the building.
Town Manager Gail Albert said on Friday that she was in the process of collecting information on the matter and would be available for comment early next week.
The DEP has several options for handling violations of asbestos removal rules, including sending a letter of warning, issuing a notice of violation, reaching an administrative consent agreement, going through a court process known as an 80K action or referring the case to the Maine attorney general’s office.
A notice of violation is issued when a significant violation exists and there is a high probability of future civil enforcement action, according to the DEP.
The notice must be issued prior to initiating nearly all other civil enforcement actions, and if the party does go through with the corrective action identified in the notice, it still could be subject to additional enforcement or remediation requirements, according to the state.
In April, several Patten residents were alarmed as they watched two excavators crush the town’s 1941 recreation center, collapsing the roof and spewing boards, tiles, siding, insulation and other debris.
It appears that Patten Select Board Chair Gregg Smallwood, who owns a construction company, carried out at least some of the work on the demolition.
Smallwood told DEP investigators in an April 26 video conference call that he removed the asbestos from the building and stored it in barrels prior to the building’s demolition.
More than two years ago, during a meeting on Oct. 21, 2022, then-Select Board Chair Cody Brackett recommended having Smallwood, who was the board’s vice chair at the time, excavate the building after its contents were removed, according to town minutes.
After the demolition, Smallwood declined to discuss it when reached by the Bangor Daily News.
“The building is gone and I don’t want to talk to you about it,” he said in April. “The DEP was here and it’s all taken care of.”
In the DEP’s notice of violation, officials said that Smallwood was “not a licensed or certified individual to perform this regulated work in the state of Maine.”
Officials also wrote that they had “no record of notification for this demolition job and proper work practices such as a regulated area, signs and decontamination unit were not present on the site.”
Under the terms of the notice, the town must implement the state’s regulatory requirements for all future asbestos abatement projects with a licensed contractor. Additionally, within the next six months, the town is required to develop a plan, along with the state, for future demolition of town properties, according to the violation notice.
The town is also required to comply with the corrective measures and contact the DEP case manager within 10 days of receiving the notice. If local officials do not cooperate or act in a timely manner, they are subject to further enforcement actions, according to the DEP.
Maine (WABI) – The Maine Sheriffs’ Association has launched a new program to help victims stay informed electronically when an individual is released from jail.
The pilot program will inform victims, their families, and any witnesses when someone has been released from four Maine county jails.
Currently, the program is available in Penobscot, Aroostook, Somerset, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc counties.
Those last two counties share a jail in Wiscasset.
Maine is the last state to implement an electronic notification system.
Officials say those who would like to sign up can do so by heading to VINELink.com
There is an option to remain anonymous upon registering.
Copyright 2025 WABI. All rights reserved.
Mass. Gov. Healey’s popularity takes a dip in new poll
Minnesota Wild Signs Marcus Johansson to a One-year Contract | Minnesota Wild
Four-star OT Emanuel Tucker decommits from Mississippi State football 2026 recruiting class
Blue alert issued after Lee's Summit officer shot
Montana Woman Attacked By Her Own Bison
-
World1 week agoNeo-Nazi cult leader extradited to US for plot to kill Jewish children
-
Business1 week agoPlastic Spoons, Umbrellas, Violins: A Guide to What Americans Buy From China
-
World1 week agoCade Cunningham Gains $45 Million From All-NBA Honors
-
Movie Reviews7 days agoMOVIE REVIEW – Mission: Impossible 8 has Tom Cruise facing his final reckoning
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoKapkapiii movie review: Horror-comedy signals a saturation point for the genre
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘Magellan’ Review: Gael Garcia Bernal Plays the Famous Explorer in Lav Diaz’s Exquisitely Shot Challenge of an Arthouse Epic
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Judge Blocks Trump Move to Ban Foreign Students at Harvard
-
Rhode Island1 week agoAssessors find ‘nonconformities’ with national standards at RI Crime Lab. What to know.