Maine Democrat Paul LePage Wins Congressional Seat

After ranked-choice tabulation, Paul LePage is declared the winner of the 2nd Congressional District seat.

Maine's Ranked-Choice Tabulation Determines Paul LePage is the Winner

Democrat Paul LePage and Republican Matthew Dunlap faced off in a close race that required first a recount and then a ranked-choice tabulation.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says the final result of the tabulation is as follows:

• Paul LePage -       170,80 votes     50.81%
• Matthew Dunlap - 165,432 votes    49.18%

The ranked-choice tabulation concluded early Thursday afternoon.

LePage will replace Congressman Jared Golden, who chose not to run for re-election.

Maine's Paul LePage Wins 2nd Congressional District

In ranked-choice voting races, the winner must receive a majority - more than 50% - of the vote.

Matthew Dunlap conceded the race before tabulation, but Bellows said that the process still had to be conducted for legal reasons.

Maine's 2nd Congressional District is the largest district east of the Mississippi River and includes the following counties:

• Androscoggin
• Aroostook
• Franklin
• Hancock
• Oxford
• Penobscot
• Piscataquis
• Somerset
• Waldo
• Washington

This includes the municipalities of Augusta, Belgrade, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Oakland, Randolph, Readfield, Rome, Sidney, Vienna, Wayne, and Winthrop in Kennebec County.

Official results will be posted on the Election Results page within 20 days after the election.

Congressman Paul LePage Has a History in Maine Politics

Paul LePage is well-known in Maine politics.

He served as the state's 74th Governor from 2011 to 2019 and as Mayor of Waterville from 2004 to 2011.

Election results are unofficial until they are officially communicated to Governor Janet Mills.