NRCC MEMO: MAINE PRIMARY RESULTS
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL and NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: JUNE 15, 2016
SUBJECT: MAINE PRIMARY RESULTS
With Maine’s primary elections completed, the attention of voters in Maine’s 2nd District will now shift to the general election. Freshman Republican Bruce Poliquin will seek re-election to his second term against his 2014 opponent, former State Representative Emily Cain. This seat is widely viewed as a top target for both political parties in November, with the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) fully committed to protecting the seat.
ME-02: Bruce Poliquin, R vs. Emily Cain, D
Freshman Bruce Poliquin has been an effective member of Congress, having demonstrated a willingness to buck his party when needed to effectively represent his district. Poliquin has scored multiple legislative victories, most recently passing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the military to purchase American-made athletic footwear for military personnel. Poliquin’s amendment is expected to support over 900 Maine jobs. Poliquin has been a prolific fundraiser with $1.97 million cash on hand, giving him a $1 million advantage over Democrat Emily Cain.
Cain will need every penny in her campaign coffers to explain her extreme positions that are sorely out of step with Maine families. Cain supports President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, which Secretary of State John Kerry admits will fund terrorism. She also proposed a law requiring schools to weigh their students, including teenage girls, and report their weights to the government. Cain also voted against small businesses nearly 70 percent of the time while serving in the state legislature and has been called a very weak supporter of Maine’s economy.
Overview: PVI: D+2; Obama 52.94%; Romney 44.2% the Cook Political Report rates this race as a “Toss Up” and the Rothenberg Political Report rates this race as a “Pure Toss Up.” The District covers nearly 80 percent of Maine’s total land area, including the cities of Bangor, Lewiston, Auburn and Presque Isle.
STATEWIDE ROUNDUP
The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in Maine
ME-02
Bruce Poliquin Uncontested
Emily Cain Uncontested