Wed. Nov 27th, 2024

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris made a pit stop in New Hampshire on Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

Nearly 12 hours after Donald Trump was declared winner of the national presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris was announced as the winner of Maine’s statewide popular vote, earning her a total of three electoral votes.

Unlike every other state but Nebraska, Maine splits its electoral votes. Two are awarded to the candidate who wins the overall popular vote and then each congressional district awards one to the candidate who secured the most votes in that district. 

Overall, Harris won the state 52.2% to Trump’s 45%, with 92% counted, according to The Associated Press.

Before Maine was called for Harris, Gov. Janet Mills shared her disappointment in the overall result in a statement Wednesday afternoon but urged Mainers to be respectful of and civil towards one another.

“While I am disappointed in the result, my approach to every president, regardless of who it is, is the same,” Mills wrote. “If a president does something good for Maine people, I will join and support them. If they do something that is bad for Maine people, I will oppose them with everything I have. This will once again be my approach to the President-elect.”

Mills pledged to do everything in her power, as long as she is governor, to protect the future and the freedoms of Maine families, specifically promising to “build a state and a country where every person can have a good education, have access to good healthcare, have clean air and water, have a good paying and fulfilling job, be successful and create a better life for themselves and for their children.”

Because there were several third party challengers, the race was ranked-choice. But because Harris secured a majority, there will be no run-off. Green Independent Jill Stein won 1.2% of the vote, Libertarian Chase Oliver 0.9% and Cornel West of the Justice for All Party won 0.4%.

The Associated Press called the race in Maine’s southern district for the Democratic nominee at roughly 10:50 p.m. Tuesday evening. By Wednesday morning, Harris had 60.4% of 1st District votes to former Trump’s 36.6%, with 71% of votes counted.

Just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District was called. By 8 a.m., Trump had 52.9% of the 2nd District vote to Harris’ 45%, with 73% of votes counted. In 2016, Trump won the 2nd District 51% to 41%. Four years later, he won the district 52% to 45%. 

Nationally, Trump was declared winner with at least 277 electoral college votes.

In the months and weeks leading up to the election, Harris’ campaign was active in Maine with her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, making multiple fundraising stops after she announced her candidacy in July. However, neither the vice president herself nor her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, visited Maine on the campaign trail. 

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Maine Democratic Party Chair Bev Uhlenhake thanked campaign volunteers and staff.

“Mainers decisively delivered three electoral votes for Kamala Harris & Tim Walz, and smashed records of doors knocked and calls made statewide,” Uhlenhake said. “Hard work is good work, and that is reflected in our success in down ballot races this cycle. We must all roll up our sleeves to keep fighting each and every day for candidates and policies that strengthen Maine’s families, communities, environment, and economy.”

Maine saw a surge in voter registration that coincided with Harris replacing President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket and continued throughout the campaign season.

Many leaders in Maine threw their support behind Harris including Mills, Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and independent U.S. Sen. Angus King

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, who late Wednesday declared victory in his 2nd District re-election race that is likely headed for a recount, never endorsed a presidential candidate. 

Though Trump endorsed the Republican challenger for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, state Rep. Austin Theriault, the former president didn’t make any campaign stops in Maine. Neither did his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.

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