By early morning following the state’s primary, Jordan Wood, the openly gay Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, was emerging as the early frontrunner coming out of, leading a competitive four-way race that was projected to be decided through the state’s ranked-choice voting system, according to the Bangor Daily News.
However, as more votes came in, the race tightened and appears headed to a run-off in the state’s ranked-choice voting system, when no candidate winning the “first choice” on a majority of ballots.
By late last night, with 83 percent of the ballots in, Wood held 29.2 percent of first-choice votes, Bangor state Sen. Joe Baldacci with 31.6 percent. Former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap with with 28.9 percent while political newcomer Paige Loud at 10.3 percent.
Wood entered the race as part of a progressive bloc that included Dunlap and Loud, positioning himself to the left of Baldacci on health care and other issues. While Baldacci drew national Democratic support through the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program, Wood built momentum as an alternative voice in a race shaped by intraparty tensions and outside spending.
A poll released shortly before election day had Wood running third, making his early election-night lead a notable development. The survey also suggested a large share of undecided voters remained in play, creating an opportunity for late movement in the race.
The winner advances to face former Republican Gov. Paul LePage in November. The seat is open following the retirement of Jared Golden, making it one of the nation’s most closely watched congressional contests.