2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of Maine, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Democrats would not win both of Maine's congressional districts again until 2018.

Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2012 PartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats after+/– Democratic 427,819 61.66% 2 2 - Republican 265,982 38.34% 0 0 - Totals 693,801 100% 2 2 -

Redistricting

Unlike most states, which had passed redistricting laws to redraw the boundaries of their congressional districts based on the 2010 United States census in advance of the 2012 elections, Maine law required that redistricting be done in 2013. In March 2011, a lawsuit was filed asking a U.S. district judge to ensure redistricting is completed in time for the 2012 elections. According to the Census, the 1st district had a population of 8,669 greater than that of the 2nd district. The Maine Democratic Party, which opposes the lawsuit, was granted intervenor status, and argued that the lawsuit constituted an attempt by the Maine Republican Party to force Representatives Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud, both of whom are Democrats, to run in the same district. On June 9, 2011, a panel of three federal judges agreed that failing to redistrict would be unconstitutional, and that the state should redraw the boundaries of its districts immediately.

Governor Paul LePage called a special session of the Maine Legislature on September 27 to consider a redistricting plan. On August 15, both Republicans and Democrats released redistricting proposals. The Republican plan would move Lincoln County, Knox County (including Pingree's hometown of North Haven) and Sagadahoc County from the 1st district to the 2nd, and move Oxford County and Androscoggin County from the 2nd district to the 1st, thereby making the 2nd district more favorable to Republicans. The Democratic plan, meanwhile, would not significantly change the current districts: only Vassalboro would be moved from the 1st district to the 2nd.

District 1

Democrat Chellie Pingree, who had represented Maine's 1st congressional district since 2009, was gathering signatures to run for the U.S. Senate, but she decided not to run. State senator Cynthia Dill and state representative Jon Hinck picked up petitions to run for the Democratic nomination in the 1st district. However, after Pingree announced that she would run for reelection, Dill and Hinck chose to campaign for U.S. Senate. Dill would go on to lose the general election to independent Angus King.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Chellie Pingree, incumbent U.S. Representative

Withdrawn Cynthia Dill, state senator Jon Hinck, state representative

Primary results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jon Courtney, State Senate majority leader

Eliminated in primary Patrick Calder, merchant marine

Declined Markham Gartley, former Secretary of State of Maine Shawn Moody, independent candidate for Governor in 2010 Richard Snow, businessman

Primary results

Independents Declined Shawn Moody, independent candidate for Governor in 2010

General election Polling Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChelliePingree (D) JonCourtney (R) UndecidedMPRC/Maine People's Alliance (D)MPRC/Maine People's Alliance (D) November 1–3, 2012 469 ± 3.3% 62% 34% 4%Pan Atlantic SMS GroupPan Atlantic SMS Group September 24–28, 2012 198 ± 7.0% 57% 24% 19%MPRC/Maine People's Alliance (D)MPRC/Maine People's Alliance (D) September 15–17, 2012 444 ± 4.3% 60% 32% 8%Critical Insights (Portland Press Herald)Critical Insights (Portland Press Herald) June 20–25, 2012 615 ± 4.0% 57% 31% 12%Maine People's Resource Center (D)Maine People's Resource Center (D) March 31–April 2, 2012 522 ± 4.3% 61% 28% 11%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 2

Democrat Mike Michaud, who had represented Maine's 2nd congressional district since 2003, decided not to run for the U.S. Senate, and was running for a sixth term in the United States House of Representatives. David Costa, a concierge at the Portland Harbor Hotel; Wellington Lyons, a lawyer; and David Lemoine, a former state treasurer, had taken out papers to seek the Democratic nomination to succeed Michaud had he run for Senate. Emily Cain, the minority leader of the Maine House of Representatives, had also planned to seek the Democratic nomination in the 2nd district if Michaud decided to run for the Senate seat.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Mike Michaud, incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined Emily Cain, minority leader of the Maine House of Representatives David Costa, concierge at the Portland Harbor Hotel David Lemoine, former State Treasurer Wellington Lyons, lawyer

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Kevin Raye, Maine Senate president

Eliminated in primary Blaine Richardson, retired naval veteran

Declined Jason Levesque, businessman and nominee for this seat in 2010

Primary results

General election Endorsements

Polling Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeMichaud (D) KevinRaye (R) UndecidedMPRC/Maine People's Alliance (D) November 1–3, 2012 469 ± 3.3% 50% 46% 4%Eaton River Strategies/Scientific Marketing & Analysis (R-Raye)Eaton River Strategies/Scientific Marketing & Analysis (R-Raye) October 10–11, 2012 1,200 ± 2.8% 47% 40% 13%Normington, Petts & Associates (D-Michaud)Normington, Petts & Associates (D-Michaud) October 8–9, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 58% 33% 9%Pan Atlantic SMS Group September 24–28, 2012 202 ± 6.9% 52% 32% 16%MPRC/Maine People's Alliance (D)MPRC/Maine People's Alliance (D) September 15–17, 2012 410 ± 4.3% 56% 37% 7%Normington, Petts & Associates (D-Michaud)Normington, Petts & Associates (D-Michaud) June 25–27, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 62% 30% 8%Critical Insights (Portland Press Herald) June 20–25, 2012 615 ± 4.0% 47% 35% 18%Maine People's Resource Center (D) March 31–April 2, 2012 471 ± 4.5% 53% 37% 10%Normington, Petts & Associates (D-Michaud)Normington, Petts & Associates (D-Michaud) January 23–25, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 55% 32% 13%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

References

External links Elections from the Maine Secretary of State United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2012 at Ballotpedia Maine U.S. House at OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Maine at OpenSecrets Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation