Republicans are somewhat likely to flip Maine’s House
Key Races to Watch
Maine’s 3rd (Fort Fairfield) - Leans D
Incumbent: David McCrea (D)
Challenger: Mark Babin (R)
Maine’s 20th (Brewer) - Leans D
Incumbent: Kevin O’Connell (D)
Challenger: Jennifer Morin (R)
Maine’s 22nd (Kenduskeag Stream) - Leans R
Incumbent: Laura Supica (D)
Challenger: Douglas Damon (R)
Maine’s 40th (Lincolnville) - Leans D
Incumbent: Stanley Zeigler (D)
Challenger: Tricia Harrington (R)
Maine’s 44th (Warren and Union) - Leans R
Incumbent: William Pluecker (I)
Challenger: Crystal Robinson (R)
Maine’s 48th (Boothbay) - Leans D
Incumbent: Holly Stover (D)
Challenger: Tricia Warren (R)
Maine’s 49th (Phippsburg) - Leans D
Incumbent: Allison Hepler (D)
Challenger: Richard Tetrev (R)
In this outlook, Republicans net 77 House seats while the Democratic majority becomes a 74-seat minority. The sole independent Representative, Walter Riseman (I), caucuses with the Democrats.
Maine’s 52nd (Bowdoinham) - Leans D
Incumbent: Seth Berry (D)
Challenger: Peter Lewis (I)
Maine’s 54th (Gardiner) - Leans R
Incumbent Party Nominee: Karen Montell (D)
Challenger Party Nominee: Charles Bussell (R)
Maine’s 83rd (Bridgton) - Leans I
Incumbent: Walter Riseman (I)
Challenger: Donna Dodge (R)
Maine’s 86th (Raymond) - Leans D
Incumbent: Jessica Fay (D)
Challenger: Gregory Foster (R)
Maine’s 89th (Auburn) - Leans D
Incumbent Party Nominee: Adam Lee (D)
Challenger Party Nominee: Benjamin Weisner (I)
Maine’s 98th (Durham) - Leans R
Incumbent: Orion Breen (D)
Challenger: Joseph Galletta (R)
Maine’s 142nd (Sanford) - Leans R
Incumbent Party Nominee: Joseph Hanslip (D)
Challenger Party Nominee: Pamela Buck (R)
Focus on the Working Families
Stagnating Economy
POINT ONE
Maine’s economy has plateaued over the past several years as its industries begin to lose some relevance in the 21st century. Lumber, fishing, and shipbuilding are integral to Maine’s economy, but as other nations develop, Maine’s fishing and lumber economy have been challenged by outsiders. The economic situation in Maine is not too dissimilar to the Rust Belt states as each of their industries has become globalized. The Democrats have attempted to increase welfare support programs with the Federal stimulus given during the pandemic. Nevertheless, state solutions to globalization have been weak and voters are looking for change.
Education
POINT TWO
Public education has been a problem in Maine for half a decade. There have been investments made to increase funding for education and daycare, but the COVID-19 pandemic upended the education system. Republicans in Maine are attacking the incumbent Democrats for the prolonged shutdowns of schools during the pandemic. The opposition’s argument has been that online schooling could not be done adequately with spotty internet and, as a result, children’s knowledge will be irreparably harmed. Similar to Virginia, Republicans have rallied against teachers unions and called for more power by the parents to dictate their children’s education.