PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Top political strife in Maine’s history came to an end Tuesday when the electorate chose to re-elect U. S. Republican Senator Susan Collins for a fifth term or overthrow her in favor of House Democratic President Sara Gideon.
Collins presented herself as an experienced bipartisan candidate who works to get things done for Maine and is online to chair the tough assignments committee if Republicans retain the US Senate.
Gideon tried to convey his message that Collins no longer represents Mainers after the votes of court’s ideal judge Brett Kavanaugh and President Donald Trump’s tax cuts.
Maine: effects of the 2020 election
New Hampshire: results of the 2020 election
The York County electorate echoed these key crusade messages when they went to the polls on Tuesday.
In Kennebunkport, retired food place owner Marie Condon said Collins had a track record of success. “He did a task for our condition, ” said Condon. ” For all the years she’s been in office, she’s been a state attorney. Maine.
In Kennebunk, Trudy Weeman, a visitor service representative who volunteered at his local polling station, said he voted for Collins because he thought the existing senator would help revive the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I hope everything comes back to normal, ” said Weeman.
In Kittery, Lyn Rosoff, who chairs the local Democratic group, said he met with others while conducting a survey of those who were making plans to vote for Collins in the Senate race and Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the presidential race. that, he argued, is that a Republican-controlled Senate would prevent Biden from implementing his agenda.
Rosoff said she thinks Mainers would elect a Democratic senator to give Democrats a senate majority. “The blue wave is what will make Sara Gideon rechine in her duties,” she said.
That said, Rosoff added that the Senate feud has “really hardened,” so “no one takes it for granted. “
The Senate competes with the most expensive in Maine history, with Gideon raising just about $70 million, more than double Collins’ $27 million. In total, more than $120 million spent through applicants and outdoor equipment in television advertising.
But the polls showed close competition, despite all the money. On Tuesday, the Mainers had the final say about the race, which also includes two independents, educator Lisa Savage, who hoped to be the first green senator to sign up. the party — and conservative businessman Max Linn.
A tight race can cause provisions for Maine’s classified selections.
The voting formula allows others to classify all applicants on the ballot. If no one wins the most votes in the first round, there are more tables where the finalists in the last position are eliminated and their second-place selections are reassigned to the remaining box to a majority winner.
Republicans fought unsuccessfully for the grading vote in Maine’s federal election, and Collins he he he called the rating voting formula unfair. “But those are the regulations, ” he said last month. ” They’ve shown the most through the court. And what are the regulations that I have to play with. “
Employees of McCrum’s fry processing plant in Washburn include #MaineWorkEthic: taking Aroostook potatoes and manufacturing a product that provides The Global Maine. ???? Mepolitics pic. twitter. com/PXvzVImKW1
Democrats began targeting popular Collins after his vote for Kavanaugh, and war parties mobilized to overthrow her. The Democratic Senate crusade committee gave way early to Gideon, who smoothly won his primaries.
Although she has subsidized Collins in the past, Kittery lis Anderson’s voter said Tuesday that she is supporting the incumbent this time.
“That’s enough, ” he said. Kavanaugh’s debacle put me to the limit. “
Demographic adjustments and partisan politics have the political landscape.
In the past, Collins was easily re-elected with the help of independents and even some Democratic voters in a state known for their fierce independence, but Democrats outperformed independents in voter registrations this summer, fitting into the state’s largest voter bloc.
Republicans have portrayed Gideon as a wealthy liberal and a difficult choice. Collins argued that Gideon would be a Democratic supporter, not an independent voice, and promorated her ability to make a difference, pointing to the pay-check coverage program, of which she was the protagonist. writer – how to help companies to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gideon, for his part, said Collins’ seniority didn’t seem to give him much room in his own party’s caucus and pledged to push for a Medicare option for health care and environmental innovations while preventing before the progressive “Medicare for All. “and Green New Deal proposals.
It’s great to meet enthusiasts as they walked to your neighbors door here in Portland. Together, I know we can win! #Mepolitics pic. twitter. com/U43Vq2RQmc
Collins is from Maine, grew up in Caribou, where she picked potatoes as a child and raised her familiarity with Maine’s unique problems.
Gideon, originally from Rhode Island, moved to Freeport, Maine, 15 years ago and was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2012 after serving in the Freeport City Council.
The report includes elements of Associated Press journalist David Sharp and news experts from Seacoast Media Group Hadley Barndollar, Dan Bancroft and Shawn Sullivan.