LePage Defeats Michaud in Close Battle to the End; Pingree Wins Easily

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Two Polls Workers at East End Community School on Munjoy Hill.

Two Poll Workers at East End Community School on Munjoy Hill.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) Won Easy Re-election oto the House of Represenatives.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) Won Easy Re-election to the House of Represenatives.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,220)

In a nail-biting race right up to the end of ballot counting, Governor Paul LePage defeated US Congressman Mike Michaud (D). LePage won by about 4 % points. In his acceptance speech, LePage said he was living the American Dream – from  homelessness to Governor of Maine.

This second term will afford incumbent Lepage more time to pursue his policies that are considered anti-environment, anti-women’s health, anti-public education, and much more.  His policies have been delivered in an anti-civility environment which have made him the brunt of national television jokes.

Supporters of Mike Michaud (D) may well wonder if there might have been a different outcome IF:  Senator Angus King (I) had not endorsed Eliot Cutler early on in the campaign. His shift  to support Michaud probably came too late in the campaign to help Michaud. In Portland, Congressman Michaud earned 20,828 votes or 69.55% of the vote.  Too little to late from the King.

The legacy for Eliot Cutler, who maintains he’s the best man for the job, will always be that of a spoiler – a label not to be envied.

US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) as expected won easy re-relection to her fourth term in Washington, DC.    Her focus has been on farm issues as well as women’s issues.  In Portland, Pingree won 22,434 votes in comparison to 4,645 by her closest opponent.

While there is not a lot of joy in yesterday’s hammering by the Republicans of Democrats in Maine. many are taking comfort in the defeat of the pompous  Herb Adams (D)  by Ben Chipman, (I) in the Maine State Legislature.

Detiails of the Election Day results may be seen on Portland’s web page:  portlandmaine.gov