LePage declares victory in Maine’s 2nd District race

This is a breaking story that will be updated. 

Republican Paul LePage declared victory in the election for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District on Wednesday afternoon, though outlets had not yet called the race.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, LePage had secured 49.9% of votes and Democrat Matt Dunlap had 48.8% with 93% of results counted, according to initial numbers from the Bangor Daily News, which gathered totals from municipalities and partnered with Decision Desk HQ.

The Associated Press, which also had not yet called the race, had LePage at 50% and Dunlap at 49.9% with 88% counted. 

The Secretary of State’s Office has not yet weighed in on the close race or said if a ranked-choice run off would be necessary. But with so few votes separating the candidates, a recount is possible.

Democratic U.S. Rep Jared Golden currently holds the seat, but announced last November that he would not seek reelection. LePage had already announced his campaign, and faced no Republican primary challengers. Dunlap had intended to challenge Golden, and went on to defeat three other candidates in a ranked-choice runoff in the June primary. 

Nationally, Democrats are poised to take over control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate after many previously Republican-held districts flipped in their favor in response to President Donald Trump’s declining approval.