Theriault, supported by Trump, secures victory in Maine district affected by mass shooting in GOP primary

Republican state lawmaker Austin Theriault, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has emerged victorious in the race to challenge one of the most conservative Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives in a Maine district that was recently affected by a tragic mass shooting.

Theriault, hailing from Fort Kent, defeated his fellow Maine House member Mike Soboleski of Phillips, who also supports Trump. Newsmax has confirmed Theriault’s win in the race.

Theriault is set to go against three-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. This district has shown support for Trump in the last two elections and was the location of a devastating mass shooting that claimed 18 lives in Lewiston last year.

A representative for the Golden campaign expressed satisfaction with the election outcome and stated that this upcoming contest is exactly what they were hoping for.

The primary campaign has seen discussions about various issues such as economic development, inflation, and immigration, but gun control has been a prominent topic, especially after the tragic shooting incident in Lewiston. Mark Brewer, a political scientist at the University of Maine, emphasized the significance of gun control in the minds of voters.

The outcome of this election could potentially alter the power dynamics of Congress, as Republicans currently hold a small five-seat advantage in the U.S. House. Brewer pointed out that the Maine election is one of the key races that could shift this balance.

The 2nd Congressional District in Maine differs greatly from the state’s other district, being more rural and expansive. It is home to traditional industries like papermaking and lobster fishing.

Theriault, a former NASCAR driver, had a significant fundraising edge over Soboleski. Despite this, Soboleski garnered endorsements from some Republican state lawmakers.

Both candidates positioned themselves as advocates for the working people of the district, with Theriault criticizing Golden for not representing the district’s needs and Soboleski accusing Golden of being focused on advancing his political career.

Golden, a Marine veteran, defended his approach to gun control and other issues as being pragmatic and beneficial for Maine.

“In Maine, as in other places, there needs to be a balance between individual rights and the common good, sought by the government, courts, and the people,” he stated.