Maine's 2nd Congressional District

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Maine's 2nd Congressional District
Incumbent
Jared GoldenDemocratic
Assumed office: January 3, 2019

Maine's 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Jared Golden (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Maine representatives represented an average of 681,791 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 666,537 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: Maine's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024

Maine's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (June 11 Republican primary)

Maine's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (June 11 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Maine District 2

Incumbent Jared Golden, Austin Theriault, and Diana Merenda ran in the general election for U.S. House Maine District 2 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jared Golden
Jared Golden (D)
 
49.9
 
193,740
Image of Austin Theriault
Austin Theriault (R)
 
49.7
 
193,014
Image of Diana Merenda
Diana Merenda (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
1,223

Vote totals may be incomplete for this race.

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The outcome of this election has not been called yet. Source

Total votes: 387,977
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Jared Golden in round 1 .

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 23,183
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Austin Theriault in round 1 .

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 40,176
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2022

See also: Maine's 2nd Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Maine District 2

The ranked-choice voting election was won by Jared Golden in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 316,382
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Democratic primary election

Democratic Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Jared Golden in round 1 .

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 25,684
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Bruce Poliquin in round 1 .

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 36,848
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

See also: Maine's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Maine District 2

The ranked-choice voting election was won by Jared Golden in round 1 .

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 373,235
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Democratic primary election

Democratic Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Jared Golden in round 1 .

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 57,718
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Dale Crafts in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 42,347
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

See also: Maine's 2nd Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Maine District 2

The ranked-choice voting election was won by Jared Golden in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2

Total votes: 289,624
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Jared Golden in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2

Total votes: 45,211
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for U.S. House Maine District 2

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Bruce Poliquin in round 1 .

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 43,047
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

2016

BattlegroundRace.jpg



The district was a battleground race in 2016.

See also: Maine's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016

Maine's 2nd Congressional District was a battleground district in 2016. Incumbent Bruce Poliquin (R) defeated former state Sen. Emily Cain (D) and Jay Parker Dresser (Write-in) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Poliquin defeated Cain in 2014 to win election to the seat. Neither candidate faced a primary challenger in June.[1][2][3]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBruce Poliquin Incumbent 54.8% 192,878
     Democratic Emily Ann Cain 45.2% 159,081
     N/A Write-in 0.1% 224
Total Votes 352,183
Source: Maine Secretary of State

2014

See also: Maine's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014

The 2nd Congressional District of Maine held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014.

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Emily Cain 40.2% 118,568
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBruce Poliquin 45.2% 133,320
     Independent Blaine Richardson 10.6% 31,337
     Other Other 0.1% 248
     Blank None 3.9% 11,536
Total Votes 295,009
Source: Maine Secretary of State Official Results

In June 2013, Mike Michaud announced that he would be launching an exploratory committee in advance of a possible run for governor. On June 14, 2013, state Sen. Emily Cain announced that she would be running in the 2014 Democratic primary.[4]

General election candidates


June 10, 2014, primary results

Republican Party Republican Primary

Democratic Party Democratic Primary

Grey.png Third Party Candidates

Declined to run

Withdrew prior to the primary

2012

See also: Maine's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012

The 2nd Congressional District of Maine held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012, in which incumbent Mike Michaud (D) won re-election. He defeated Kevin Raye (R) in the general election.[24]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMike Michaud Incumbent 55.7% 191,456
     Republican Kevin Raye 40% 137,542
     N/A Blank Votes 4.3% 14,910
Total Votes 343,908
Source: Maine Secretary of State "Tabulations for Elections held in 2012"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Mike Michaud won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jason Levesque (R) in the general election.[25]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMike Michaud incumbent 55.1% 147,042
     Republican Jason J. Levesque 44.9% 119,669
Total Votes 266,711


2008
On November 4, 2008, Mike Michaud won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Frary (R) in the general election.[26]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2008
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMike Michaud 67.4% 226,274
     Republican John Frary 32.6% 109,268
Total Votes 335,542


2006
On November 7, 2006, Mike Michaud won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Laurence D'Amboise (R) in the general election.[27]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2006
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMike Michaud incumbent 70.5% 179,772
     Republican Laurence D'Amboise 29.5% 75,156
Total Votes 254,928


2004
On November 2, 2004, Mike Michaud won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Brian Hammel (R) and Carl Cooley (Socialist Equality) in the general election.[28]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2004
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMike Michaud incumbent 58% 199,303
     Republican Brian Hammel 39.5% 135,547
     Socialist Equality Carl Cooley 2.5% 8,586
Total Votes 343,436


2002
On November 5, 2002, Mike Michaud won election to the United States House. He defeated Kevin Raye (R) in the general election.[29]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMike Michaud 52% 116,868
     Republican Kevin Raye 48% 107,849
Total Votes 224,717


2000
On November 7, 2000, John E. Baldacci won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Richard H. Campbell (R) in the general election.[30]

U.S. House, Maine District 2 General Election, 2000
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJohn E. Baldacci incumbent 73.4% 219,783
     Republican Richard H. Campbell 26.6% 79,522
Total Votes 299,305


District map

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Maine after the 2020 census

On September 29, 2021, Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed legislation enacting redrawn congressional district boundaries as a result of the 2020 census. The Maine Apportionment Commission approved a final congressional district plan and submitted it to the legislature on September 24, 2021. The Maine State Senate and House of Representatives unanimously approved the state’s new congressional map on September 29, 2021.[31] This map took effect for Maine’s 2022 congressional elections.

According to the Bangor Daily News, “The only changes to the state’s congressional maps will take place in Kennebec County, where about 54,000 Mainers will switch districts. Augusta, the capital city, will move from the 1st to the 2nd District, along with Chelsea, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Manchester, Readfield and Winthrop. Meanwhile, Albion, Benton, Clinton, Litchfield, Unity township and West Gardiner will move from the 2nd District to the 1st.”[31]

How does redistricting in Maine work? In Maine, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. An advisory commission is also involved in the process. A two-thirds majority is required to approve new district maps, which are subject to veto by the governor.[32]

The composition of the 15-member advisory redistricting commission is as follows:[32]

  1. The majority and minority leaders of the Maine State Senate each select two commissioners.
  2. The majority and minority leaders of the Maine House of Representatives each appoint three commissioners.
  3. The chairs of the state's two major political parties (i.e., the Republican and Democratic parties) each appoint one member.
  4. The aforementioned 12 commissioners appoint two more members from the public, "with each party's representatives coordinating to choose one commissioner."
  5. The two public commissioners appoint one additional member.

This commission may make recommendations to the state legislature regarding redistricting, but the legislature is not bound to abide by the commission's recommendations. If the state legislature is unable to pass a redistricting plan, the responsibility falls to the Maine Supreme Court.[32]

State statutes require that congressional districts be compact and contiguous, In addition, state laws require that congressional districts "cross political subdivision lines as few times as possible."[32]

The Maine Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be "compact and contiguous, and that they cross political subdivision lines as few times as possible."[32]

Maine District 2
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Maine District 2
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 2nd Congressional District of Maine after the 2001 redistricting process. The current district is displayed in the infobox at the top of the page.
See also: Redistricting in Maine after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Maine State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+6. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 6 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Maine's 2nd the 188th most Republican district nationally.[33]

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 51.6%-45.5%.[34]

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+6. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 6 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Maine's 2nd the 187th most Republican district nationally.[35]

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 45.5% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 51.6%.[36]

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+2. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 2 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Maine's 2nd Congressional District the 219th most Republican nationally.[37]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.10. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.10 points toward that party.[38]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Centralmaine.com, "Cain seeks 2016 rematch for Maine’s 2nd District seat," March 3, 2015
  2. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Bangor City Councilor Joe Baldacci to run for US House seat," July 29, 2015
  3. ↑ CNN, "Election Results," accessed November 8, 2016
  4. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Cain's in, Fredette's out of 2014 2nd District congressional race," accessed June 24, 2014
  5. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Sangerville veteran files paperwork to run for Congress as Democrat in Maine’s 2nd District," accessed August 19, 2013
  6. ↑ Online Sentinel, "Poliquin will seek to follow Michaud," accessed August 27, 2013
  7. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "With Michaud out of running, Raye announces possible bid for Congress," accessed August 19, 2013
  8. ↑ KJ Online, "Raye joining Republican fray for Michaud's seat," accessed September 2, 2013
  9. ↑ Morning Sentinel, "Raye joining Republican fray for Michaud's seat, His legislative experience and fundraising ability make him a top contender, despite two prior losses in that district," accessed September 2, 2013
  10. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Cain’s in, Fredette’s out of 2014 2nd District congressional race," accessed June 24, 2013
  11. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Aroostook County’s Sen. Troy Jackson announces run for congressional seat," accessed August 19, 2013
  12. ↑ Press Herald, "Blaine Richardson to run in Maine's 2nd District as independent," accessed January 21, 2014
  13. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Republican Blaine Richardson makes second run for Congress official; raised no money in most recent reporting period," accessed August 19, 2013
  14. ↑ WABI, "Independent Candidate On 2nd District Ballot," accessed June 3, 2014
  15. ↑ Press Herald, "Joseph Baldacci says he won’t run for Congress," accessed January 2, 2013
  16. ↑ Kennebec Journal, "Election 2014: 2nd District campaign takes shape," accessed December 2, 2013
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Bangor Daily News, "Richard Rosen to join growing field of Republicans seeking Maine congressional seat," accessed September 4, 2013
  18. ↑ Roll Call, "Maine Republican Won’t Seek Competitive House Contest," accessed December 2, 2013
  19. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Tardy making serious moves toward running for Congress," accessed August 19, 2013
  20. ↑ Online Sentinel, "Smith drops out of 2nd CD race," accessed March 17, 2014
  21. ↑ Seacoast Online, "2 in Maine announce plans to run for U.S. Congress," accessed August 19, 2013
  22. ↑ Bangor Daily News, "GOP leader Alexander Willette, 24, says he is a candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District," accessed August 19, 2013
  23. ↑ Daily Caller, "UPDATE: Maine Congressional withdraws from race," accessed August 29, 2013
  24. ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Maine"
  25. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
  26. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
  27. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
  28. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
  29. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
  30. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Bangor Daily News, "Thousands of Mainers to shift to new congressional districts," September 29, 2021
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 All About Redistricting, "Maine," accessed April 30, 2015
  33. ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
  34. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
  35. ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
  36. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
  37. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  38. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018


Maine's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Susan Collins (R)
Angus King (I)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Democratic Party (2)
Republican Party (1)
Independent (1)

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