U.S. Rep. Jared Golden declared victory on 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 race still declared too close to call, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden gave a victory speech Wednesday, though his opponent said he is not yet ready to throw in the towel.
“Any viable path to a win for my opponent has closed, so I’m here to declare victory,” the congressman said, addressing media in his hometown of Lewiston. “No Democrat has withstood stronger headwinds from the top of the ticket, the pundits or the organized opposition. This race was hard fought and hard won.”
Republican challenger, state Rep. Austin Theriault, said several times Wednesday that the race is not yet over.
Candidates wait for every vote to be counted in Maine’s too-close-to-call 2nd District race
According to The Associated Press, just before 4 p.m., Golden led Theriault 50.4% to 49.3%, with 91% of votes counted. That’s a difference of about 3,700 votes.
“This race remains too close to call. We’re well within the margin that would trigger a state-funded, automatic recount and every vote should be counted,” read a statement from Theriault’s campaign.
A recount of the votes can be requested anytime before 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, per state law.
Balance of power in U.S. House still unknown
As of Wednesday afternoon, it remained unclear if Republicans would maintain control of the U.S. House, with several close, outstanding races, including Maine’s 2nd District. The GOP gained a majority in the U.S. Senate after flipping several key seats in Ohio, West Virginia and Montana.
Reiterating a pledge he made during his campaign, Golden said Wednesday he was prepared to work with another Trump administration during his fourth term representing Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.
“I’m going to work with whoever’s in the White House whenever I can, as best I can, for the people of Maine and for the country,” Golden said.
“And when I think that 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 is in the White House.”
Hours earlier, Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump was declared winner of the national election. Golden refused to endorse a candidate in the presidential election and repeatedly declined to say if he was voting for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Asked about the national landscape, Golden told reporters Wednesday that while he “prefers to be in the majority,” control of the U.S. House may not be determined for a few more days, if not a week.
Outlining his priorities, Golden specifically said he wants to preserve tax cuts for middle class families from the 2017 tax package that are set to expire.
“It’s really important that we extend those tax cuts for middle class families without making the deficit even worse than it already is, and find a way to pay for it,” 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 Chair Bev Uhlenhake congratulated Golden on the win, calling him a “proven fighter and champion for Mainers.”
“He has delivered for Maine people and communities–from lowering healthcare costs for Maine seniors to investing in our working families and defending our fundamental freedoms,” Uhlenhake said of Golden. “Mainers want a true leader representing them in Washington, and have re-elected him to a fourth term so he can continue to fight for the people of Maine’s second congressional district.”
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