Harris Maine campaign/ Maine 2nd Congressional District/ Jared Golden election/ Austin Theriault/ 2024 Maine electoral vote/ Newslooks/ LEWISTON/ MAINE/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on Maine’s 2nd Congressional District in her hunt for crucial electoral votes. The district, which supported Trump in two consecutive elections, could prove pivotal in a close race. Harris aims to sway rural voters, while Democratic incumbent Jared Golden faces a fierce congressional battle against Republican Austin Theriault. Both races are closely watched as Maine’s electoral vote and House seat may impact the national political landscape.
Harris Campaign in Maine Quick Looks
- Key Electoral Vote: Harris focuses on reclaiming Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, a critical electoral vote in past elections.
- Maine’s 2nd District: A large, rural area with a strong working-class base, traditionally tied to industries like logging and fishing.
- Trump Support: The district backed Trump in both 2016 and 2020, the only New England electoral vote he captured.
- Congressional Race: Incumbent Jared Golden faces tough competition from Republican Austin Theriault in a race with national significance.
- Ad Spending: Both parties are investing in digital ads in Maine, although the state hasn’t seen heavy ad saturation like other swing states.
Harris Campaign Targets Maine’s Rural District for Key Electoral Vote
Deep Look
Vice President Kamala Harris has set her sights on Maine’s 2nd Congressional District as part of her broader electoral strategy, recognizing that every electoral vote could make a difference in the tightly contested 2024 election. The district, one of the largest and most rural in the U.S., has leaned Republican in recent elections, giving Donald Trump a single electoral vote in both 2016 and 2020. This year, Harris hopes to reverse that trend, reclaiming the vote that could be pivotal in the election’s outcome.
Maine, along with Nebraska, is one of only two states that splits its electoral votes by congressional district. While Trump’s support in Maine’s 2nd District remains strong, polling suggests Harris could be competitive. Maine’s 2nd District is vast, stretching across the state’s northern and eastern regions, and it’s traditionally been a working-class area built around industries like logging, potato farming, and lobster fishing. The district contrasts sharply with Maine’s more liberal 1st Congressional District, which includes the city of Portland.
The battle for Maine’s 2nd District extends beyond the presidential race. Incumbent Democrat Jared Golden is in a tough re-election fight against Republican state representative Austin Theriault. Golden, first elected in 2018, has won his seat twice but faces increasing pressure in a politically mixed district. Theriault, a former NASCAR driver, has positioned himself as a defender of Maine’s rural and working-class interests, taking aim at Golden’s record and presenting himself as the candidate more in touch with the district’s needs.
Harris’s campaign is investing in Maine, although not on the same scale as other battleground states. Both the Harris and Trump campaigns have spent over $100,000 on digital ads in Maine’s two main media markets, with a particular focus on reaching voters in the 2nd District. Harris is also benefiting from outside groups, including the One for All Committee, which has contributed to her advertising push in the region.
The importance of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is underscored by its role in recent elections. Trump’s victory in the district in 2016 marked the first time since 1992 that Maine did not fully support the Democratic candidate. His subsequent win in 2020 demonstrated the district’s ongoing conservative leanings, particularly in contrast to the more progressive 1st District. Given how close the race is expected to be in 2024, the possibility of a single electoral vote deciding the election has made this district a focal point for both parties.
In addition to the national issues at play, local concerns—such as gun rights—are top of mind for Maine voters. Both Golden and Theriault have emphasized their support for the Second Amendment in a state with a high rate of gun ownership. Maine’s 2nd District has a strong hunting culture, and many voters are concerned about the impact of gun control legislation on their way of life. After a mass shooting in Lewiston last year, the state passed new gun laws, but the issue remains divisive among the district’s residents.
While the presidential candidates themselves have not made frequent visits to Maine, both campaigns are actively fundraising in the state. Harris has raised over $3.4 million in Maine, more than she has in key swing states like Nevada. Trump has also raised substantial funds in the state, contributing to the ongoing fight for every available electoral vote.
As the election approaches, the races in Maine’s 2nd District—both for the presidential electoral vote and the congressional seat—are being closely watched. The outcome could have national implications, particularly if the presidential race comes down to a handful of electoral votes. Harris’s push to reclaim the district is part of a broader strategy to capture every possible vote, while Trump and Theriault aim to maintain the district’s conservative lean.
