Theriault wins GOP primary to take on Rep. Jared Golden in Maine

Maine state Rep. Austin Theriault has won the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) for the seat representing the state’s 2nd Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Theriault, a former NASCAR driver who had former President Trump’s endorsement, defeated fellow state Rep. Mike Soboleski for the nomination. The district will be a key battleground in the fall in what will likely be a close race for control of the House.

Golden has represented the 2nd District since 2019, and is running for his fourth term in office. But it’s a district that voted for Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and appears to be in a position to carry again, putting Golden in a potentially difficult spot of needing split-ticket voting.

Theriault also had the support of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and far outraised Soboleski.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the seat as a toss-up.