Staff Reports
In the upcoming general election, Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) will face a tough challenge from Austin Theriault, who emerged as the winner of the Republican primary. The race was called for Theriault with 69.1% of the vote, and he will now go head-to-head against Golden, a three-term incumbent and one of the most conservative House Democrats.
Theriault, a former NASCAR driver and member of the Maine House of Representatives, secured a significant advantage with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and strong fundraising. He has promised to be a staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment, a position that contrasts with Golden’s support for an assault weapons ban following a tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine.
Washington Examiner: Jared Golden gains GOP challenger after competitive primary https://t.co/LOrXPlHMl1
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) June 12, 2024
While unseating Golden may prove challenging, the upcoming 2024 election, which includes a presidential contest, could work in favor of the Republican candidate. The 2nd Congressional District, represented by Golden, has previously given its electoral vote to former President Trump, and Theriault may benefit from Trump’s presence on the ballot. The Cook Political Report rates this seat as a toss-up with a slight advantage to the Republicans.
A victory for Theriault in November could bolster the House Republicans’ efforts to maintain and expand their majority in the lower chamber. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) currently has a narrow margin and can only afford to lose two votes to pass measures along party lines.
