AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Maine’s state primaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — Maine voters already cast their votes for president, but they’re back at it on Tuesday for the state primary election. This time, voters will choose two nominees who will vie for a U.S. House seat that could be critical to determining which party wins the majority.

When former President Donald Trump won Maine’s 2nd District in 2016, it seemed like another sign that the largely rural district was moving even further away from Democrats. Maine allocates some of its Electoral College votes to the winners of individual congressional districts, giving Trump a boost despite his statewide loss. Just two years prior, Republican Bruce Poliquin replaced Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud in the U.S. House.

But the trend toward Republicans hit a roadblock in 2018, when Democrat Jared Golden defeated Poliquin. Even as Trump went on to win the 2nd District again in 2020, Golden has continued to win reelection.

This time, however, Republicans including Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson are hoping that state Rep. Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver, can defeat Golden. But first, Theriault has to get through the primary.

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