Matt Dunlap Leads Paul LePage by 707 Votes in Maine 2nd District Race

Matt Dunlap Leads Paul LePage by 707 Votes in Maine 2nd District Race

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As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, Democrat Matt Dunlap held a razor-thin lead over Paul LePage in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District — ahead by just 707 votes with 85% of precincts reporting, WGME reported. The race remains too close to call.

A 707-Vote Margin in a Neck-and-Neck Race

The two candidates remain neck-and-neck as officials continue counting ballots across the district.

LePage Skips the GOP Watch Party in Bangor

LePage, 78, was the only Republican candidate who did not take the stage at the party’s election night gathering in Bangor. His campaign voiced confidence in the early returns but indicated it would hold off on any declaration until ballots from several larger communities were counted.

“The governor feels really good. He’s excited to go to work for the people of Maine, and he is really concerned about putting more money back into Mainers’ pockets and really growing the economy,” LePage campaign spokesperson Brent Littlefield said. “The results look pretty good right now. But we’re waiting for a few more larger communities to come in. He really wants to wait to make a declaration of victory until he knows for sure.”

LePage served as Maine’s governor from 2011 to 2019. Before that, the Lewiston native was mayor of Waterville. Throughout his campaign, he emphasized his experience in government and his record of lowering taxes and creating jobs. Should he win, he says his agenda would focus on securing the border, cutting wasteful spending and expanding Maine’s economy.

FULL DEBATE: LePage and Dunlap vying to represent Maine's CD2

Four Consecutive Democratic Wins at Stake

A LePage win would break a streak of four straight Democratic victories in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District and give Republicans an additional seat in the U.S. House.

Dunlap: ‘People Want a Voice in Their Future’

Meanwhile, Dunlap’s election night party ended without a clear winner, and his campaign said it is also waiting for additional results before commenting on the outcome. Earlier in the evening, Dunlap expressed confidence in his campaign and its message.

“People think that we can do better. People have been feeling left behind. They want to have a voice in their future. And that’s been the essence of the campaign from the very beginning,” Dunlap said.

For now, both campaigns are waiting for more votes to be counted before the race is decided.

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