Rep. Golden declares victory in Maine's 2nd District, race still too close to call

LEWISTON (WGME) – Democratic Congressman Jared Golden declared victory in Maine's Second District on Wednesday, although the race has not yet been officially called.

Golden is looking to win again in a district that leans heavily toward Republicans and former President Donald Trump.

It's a seat Democrats desperately need if they have any hope of regaining the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

On Wednesday afternoon, Golden declared victory in his hometown of Lewiston, but his opponent, Republican Austin Theriault, said the race was still too close to decide.

“Any viable path to victory for my opponent is closed,” Golden said. “So I’m here to declare victory.”

Golden says this was his most difficult election yet.

“This race was hard fought and hard won,” Golden said. “And that’s why it’s the win I’m most proud of. I want to congratulate State Representative Austin Theriault. He’s a tough competitor.”

But Theriault and his supporters are not ready to give in.

“I still feel like Austin is going to win,” said Bangor voter Richard Ward.

A Theriault campaign spokeswoman says: “We are well within the margin that a state-funded automatic recount would trigger, and every vote should be counted.”

“We need someone for the people,” said Bangor voter Amber Webb.

Webb says she's counting on Golden to help Democrats take control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Frankly, we need more blue MPs. And whether or not they completely align with my beliefs is kind of beside the point,” Webb said. “I just think about the future and it’s very scary.”

Sabattus Democrat Jim Albert says he voted for both Trump and Theriault because he didn't like what he saw from Democrats like Golden in Washington.

“They were for the illegal immigrants not building the wall,” Albert said. “For me, they did the negative.”

Golden says he will work with Trump but won't always agree with him.

“And if I think they are doing something that is not in the best interest of my constituents, the state or the country, then I will stand up to them,” Golden said. “I don’t care who’s in the White House.”

The foreign minister says a recount would require a 1.5 percent margin of victory.

According to the Associated Press, Golden's lead is within that range.