Maine Ranked-Choice Count Sends Pingree, Dunlap to 2 Key November Races
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 19
Maine Ranked-Choice Count Sends Pingree, Dunlap to 2 Key November Races
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 19
Summary
Early Friday’s ranked-choice tabulation finalized Maine’s marquee primaries, sending Democrat Hanna Pingree into the governor’s race and Democrat Matt Dunlap into the 2nd District House contest.
Dunlap advanced only after ranked-choice redistribution, climbing from second in first-choice votes to edge Joe Baldacci after Jordan Wood was eliminated.
Pingree now faces Republican Bobby Charles and enters as the favorite in a state Kamala Harris carried by about 7 points in 2024.
The 2nd District race is expected to be far tighter: Dunlap will meet Republican Paul LePage in a seat Democrats have held even as Donald Trump won the district by 9 points in 2024.
Jared Golden’s retirement has made the district one of Republicans’ best pickup opportunities, setting up a heavily funded fall battleground.