Politics in Maine is never quite as simple as "red versus blue." If you’ve spent any time at a town hall in Penobscot County or grabbed a coffee in Portland, you know there’s a stubborn streak of independence that defines the voting booth here. The maine election results 2024 proved that once again. While the national news cycle moved on at lightning speed, folks here were left watching a high-stakes game of musical chairs that wasn't settled until the very last ballots—and a few rounds of "instant runoffs"—were tallied in Augusta.
It was a year of split tickets and slim margins. Honestly, the most fascinating part isn't just who won, but how they did it. Maine is one of only two states that splits its electoral votes, and in 2024, that quirk mattered more than ever. We saw a state that leaned toward Kamala Harris for the top of the ticket, but simultaneously handed Donald Trump a win in the 2nd District.
The Presidential Split: A Tale of Two Maines
The final numbers for the presidential race tell a story of a state divided by more than just geography. Kamala Harris took the statewide win with 435,652 votes (52.4%), securing three of Maine’s four electoral votes. This included the statewide total and the heavily populated 1st District. Donald Trump, however, wasn't leaving empty-handed. He dominated the 2nd District, pulling in 212,235 votes (53.8%) to secure that lone, yet vital, electoral vote.
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It’s the third time Trump has pulled this off in the Pine Tree State. He has this unique grip on the rural, northern parts of the state that just doesn't seem to fade. Harris’s margin statewide was actually a bit tighter than Joe Biden’s in 2020. She still won, sure, but the "red shift" in some of Maine's smaller towns was a real conversation starter at the general stores.
Jared Golden and the 2nd District Drama
If you want to talk about a nail-biter, we have to talk about the 2nd Congressional District. Democratic incumbent Jared Golden faced off against Republican Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver. This race was basically a heavyweight fight that went the full twelve rounds.
Golden has made a name for himself as an outlier—a Democrat who frequently votes against his own party and isn't afraid to say so. Theriault, backed by Trump, leaned hard into border security and the economy. When the first round of counting ended, neither candidate had hit that magic 50% threshold required by Maine's ranked-choice voting law.
- The Initial Count: Golden held a lead of about 2,000 votes, but it wasn't enough to call it.
- The Ranked-Choice Tally: Because there were over 12,000 blank or "other" ballots, the Secretary of State had to run the computer algorithm to distribute second choices.
- The Result: After the runoff, Golden’s lead actually grew to 2,706 votes. He finished with 197,151 (50.3%) to Theriault's 194,445 (49.7%).
Theriault didn't go down without a fight. He requested a hand recount, which dragged things into December. Eventually, his campaign conceded on December 4, 2024, after realizing the math just wasn't going to flip. It was one of the most expensive House races in Maine history, with outside groups dumping roughly $25 million into the district.
Why Angus King Sailed Through
While the House race was a brawl, the Senate race was a different vibe entirely. Independent Angus King secured a third term without much sweat. He pulled in 52.1% of the vote, comfortably defeating Republican Demi Kouzounas (34.6%) and Democrat David Costello (10.8%). King has this "grandfather of the state" energy that seems to bridge the gap for people who are tired of the partisan bickering in D.C.
The Quiet Giant: Question 1 and Super PACs
While everyone was screaming about the candidates, a massive shift happened in Maine's campaign finance laws. Question 1 asked voters if they wanted to cap contributions to Super PACs at $5,000.
The results were a landslide. Over 74% of Mainers voted "Yes."
It’s kinda historic. Maine is now the first state to try and directly challenge the "unlimited spending" precedent set by the Supreme Court. Lawmakers and legal experts expect this to end up in court eventually, but the message from voters was crystal clear: they're tired of the "big money" status quo.
Down-Ballot Shifts in the State House
The maine election results 2024 didn't just affect Washington; they reshaped the halls in Augusta too. Democrats managed to maintain control of both the State House and the State Senate, but the margins are tight.
- State Senate: Democrats held onto their majority, though several seats in more conservative areas were hard-fought.
- State House: The GOP made some gains here, picking up a handful of seats that make the Democratic majority a bit more precarious when it comes to passing major budget items.
This means Governor Janet Mills is going to have to do a lot of horse-trading to get her agenda through the final years of her term. It's a classic Maine "purple" government—mostly blue on paper, but with enough red and independent influence to keep things interesting.
Voter Turnout: We Still Show Up
One thing we can always brag about? Turnout. Maine hit a 74.2% turnout rate among eligible voters. While that’s slightly lower than the 75.8% we saw in 2020, it’s still among the highest in the country. People here take the "duty" part of voting seriously, even if they have to stand in the rain or cold to do it.
What This Means for the Future
The 2024 cycle proved that Maine's 2nd District is officially a "toss-up" for the foreseeable future. Jared Golden's survival strategy—positioning himself as a moderate who distances himself from national party leadership—is likely the blueprint for any Democrat who wants to win north of Augusta.
On the flip side, the GOP's success in the 2nd District at the presidential level shows that their message on the economy and rural identity is resonating deeply. The divide between the coastal 1st District and the rural 2nd is only getting wider.
Next Steps for Mainers:
- Watch the Courts: Keep an eye on the legal challenges to Question 1. If it survives, it could change how every future election in the state is funded.
- Stay Engaged with Augusta: With the slim margins in the State House, your local representative has a lot of power right now. If there's a local issue you care about—be it lobster regulations or housing costs—now is the time to email them.
- Check Your Registration: Even though the big one is over, local elections and primaries come up fast. You can verify your status through the Maine Secretary of State’s website.
The dust has finally settled on the 2024 results, but the political identity of the state is still very much in flux. We’re a state of splitters, and that’s probably not changing anytime soon.