To take control of the House of Representatives, Democrats needed to flip 24 out of the 48 seats considered competitive in the 2018 midterms to add to their 194 previously-held seats.
The Blue Wave continues ? Jared Golden wins Maine’s CD2 ???
(Via NEWS CENTER Maine) https://t.co/ZnMd4t55be
— Jamie Houghton (@jasmithhoughton) November 15, 2018
Instead, they gained 35. On Thursday, the gained the last available House seat in New England when Democrat and Marine veteran Jamie Golden defeated Republican Bruce Poliquin, the two-term incumbent representative.
Richard Scudamore will receive £5m golden goodbye after clubs denied chance to vote https://t.co/nZJSJb5YMU via @telefootball
— Jamie Smith (@JamieSmithSport) November 15, 2018
Bloomberg reports:
‘Poliquin, the incumbent, led after ballots were initially tabulated, though no candidate had an absolute majority. However, under ranked-choice voting, the lowest-choice candidates were eliminated and their votes reallocated to their second choices. Under that system, Golden, the Democrat, pulled ahead.’
NBC News: Jared Golden (D) is the winner of Maine House 2. Democrat Gain. This is with a release of the second round of counting in ranked-choice voting. —@NBCPolitics
This now puts Democrats with a net gain of 35 seats in the House.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 15, 2018
The 2018 midterms were the first time that Maine has used ranked-choice voting. Voters chose a first and second choice candidate. The GOP incumbent tried to stop Golden’s win because was unsuccessful in that effort, as well.
‘Poliquin sued to stop the runoff, however a judge denied his request for a temporary restraining order, allowing the process to continue.
‘The expensive race had been seen as a test of President Donald Trump’s appeal and shows Democrats can win back rural, working class areas with recruits like Golden, a state representative who sports tattoos on his forearms from his days in the service.’
The win is seen largely as a defeat for Trump since Poliquin campaigned on his support of the president and Maine’s second district went to Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
I really like ranked choice voting! I didn't vote in CD2 as I'm in CD1 but I think it was a good race. I had hoped that Golden would be the second choice for some the Indie voters. Looks like he was. Also: Shout out to @TiffanyBond who I think came up with great ideas! Good Race! https://t.co/lTgj80Zscs
— ?Jamie Diamond? (@jdmnd4) November 15, 2018
Trump is reportedly angry and sulking, lashing out at aides and cabinet members, since losing the GOP majority in both houses of Congress, The massive loss by the GOP may be a harbinger of things to come for Trump in 2020.
Featured image via Flickr by Daniel Mennerich under a Creative Commons license
