U.S. Rep. Jared Golden declared victory Wednesday, ahead of an official call from The Associated Press, in his closely watched race against Republican state Rep. Austin Theriault. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)
In a key U.S. House of Representatives race that remains too close to call, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden delivered a victory speech on Wednesday, though his opponent said he is not yet ready to throw in the towel to throw.
“Every viable path to victory for my opponent has been closed, so I am here to declare victory,” the congressman said as he addressed the media in his hometown of Lewiston. “No Democrat has withstood stronger headwinds from the top, pundits or organized opposition. This race was hard fought and hard won.”
The Republican challenger, state Rep. Austin Theriault, said several times Wednesday that the race is not over.
According to The Associated Press, Golden led Theriault 50.4% to 49.3% just before 4 p.m., with 91% of the votes counted. That’s a difference of about 3,700 votes.
“This race remains too close to call. We are well within the margin that would trigger a state-funded, automatic recount and every vote must be counted,” said a statement from Theriault’s campaign.
Under state law, a recount of votes can be requested at any time before 5 p.m. on Nov. 13.
Balance of power in the US House still unknown
As of Wednesday afternoon, it remained unclear whether Republicans would retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with several close, close races, including Maine’s 2nd District. The Republican Party won a majority in the U.S. Senate after flipping several key seats in Ohio, West Virginia and Montana.
Reiterating a promise he made during his campaign, Golden said Wednesday that he was willing to work with another Trump administration during his fourth term to represent Maine’s second congressional district.
“I’m going to work with whoever is in the White House, whenever I can, as best I can, for the people of Maine and for the country,” Golden said.
“And if I think they’re doing something that’s not in the best interest of my constituents, the state or the country, I’m going to stand up to them. I don’t care who’s in the White House.”
Hours earlier, Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump was declared the winner of the national election. Golden declined to endorse any candidate in the presidential election and repeatedly refused to say whether he voted for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Asked about the national landscape, Golden told reporters on Wednesday that while he “prefers to be in the majority,” control of the U.S. House may not be determined for a few days, if not a week.
Golden outlined his priorities, specifically saying he wants to preserve the tax cuts for middle-class families from the 2017 tax package, which are set to expire soon.
“It is very important that we continue the tax cuts for middle-class families without making the budget deficit even bigger than it already is, and that we find a way to pay for that,” he said.
After The Bangor Daily News and Decision Desk HQ both called the race in the Democrat’s favor Wednesday afternoon, Maine Democratic Party Chairman Bev Uhlenhake congratulated Golden on the victory, calling him a “proven fighter and champion for Mainers.”
“He has delivered results for Maine people and communities – from lowering health care costs for Maine seniors to investing in our working families and defending our fundamental freedoms,” Uhlenhake said of Golden. “Mainers want a true leader to represent them in Washington, and have re-elected him to a fourth term so he can continue fighting for the people of Maine’s Second Congressional District.”
Maine Morning Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maine Morning Star maintains editorial independence. If you have any questions, please contact editor Lauren McCauley: info@mainemorningstar.com. Follow Maine Morning Star on Facebook and X.
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