Austin Theriault requests recount in tight 2nd District race won by Jared Golden

By Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News Staff

State Rep. Austin Theriault requested a recount Thursday in a historically close election won by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine’s 2nd District.

Golden, a Democrat and Marine veteran who has served since 2019, had 50.3 percent of votes to 49.7 percent for Theriault, according to the latest results as of 4 p.m. Thursday. That falls within the 1.5-percentage-difference that triggers a state-funded recount. Maine does not have automatic recounts, so campaigns must request them.

Theriault campaign manager Shawn Roderick said Thursday afternoon that because “this is the closest race in modern Maine history, we must ensure a full, accurate count.”

Golden held a news conference to declare victory Wednesday afternoon in his hometown of Lewiston after the Bangor Daily News and its national election partner, Decision Desk HQ, called the race for Golden at 1:25 p.m. Wednesday, when Golden had 50.4 percent of votes to 49.6 percent for Theriault, a former NASCAR driver from Fort Kent. 

But Golden also acknowledged the close race and that Theriault’s campaign could seek a recount. It is virtually impossible for the Republican to prevail barring major issues. In 36 recounts of statewide elections between 2000 and 2023 reviewed by FairVote, margins only shifted by 0.03 percent on average, and gaps typically widened between candidates.

Golden campaign spokesperson Mario Moretto said Thursday the congressman “believes our democratic system is the greatest and strongest the world has ever known.”

“He has trust and faith in the process of determining the victor and is ready for a recount if one is necessary,” Moretto said. “He is confident that when all the votes are counted, his victory will be undeniable.”