Incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Jared Golden faced off against State Rep. Austin Theriault (R-Fort Kent) last night in the first debate amid their race for Maine’s Second Congressional District.
Golden, who first won Maine’s more conservative congressional seat in 2018, is facing is toughest re-election fight yet in a district that former Republican President Donald Trump won in both 2016 and 2020.
In the only poll that has been made public to date, Pan Atlantic Research found Theriault holding a slim three-point led over Golden — the first time the Democrat has ever found himself trailing a Republican opponent at this point in a race.
In Thursday night’s debate, moderated by WGME’s Gregg Lagerquist and Bangor Daily News Political Editor Michael Shepherd, the candidates sparred over Golden’s controversial vote for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the recurring idea that Republicans plan to gut Medicare or Social Security, national abortion policy, and more.
Here are some video highlights from the debate:
Don’t know that I like Austin Theriault any more than I liked Bruce Poliquin. Can’t put my finger on it but something just doesn’t ring true with them. However, The First Loser Jared Golden will never get my vote. “Bipartisan” my @$$. The only time he voted against his party is when his vote didn’t matter. Just a tool of Biden/Pelosi/Obama/Soros/commies. Then instead of holding people accountable for what happened in Lewiston, The First Loser want to ban scary black guns. Hey Jerry-baby define “assault rifle” you $#!+bag. Screw him and the flaming LGBTQ+WTFE horse he rode in on.