State Rep. Mike Soboleski announced Thursday a coalition of more than 50 current and former state lawmakers endorsing him in the Republican primary for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, a day after his opponent released a television advertisement touting former President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
The endorsement competition between two first-term state lawmakers who are competing in the June 11 primary for the chance to take on U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, in November is a common aspect of political campaigns. But the biggest question remains whether voters in the sprawling district Trump has twice carried will care more about endorsements or other issues.
After Soboleski and state Rep. Austin Theriault each announced their congressional campaigns last September, the two have sought to differentiate themselves and spar during recent debates. Soboleski, 67, is from Phillips and a Marine veteran like Golden who has been a small-business owner, actor and car salesman, among other jobs, while Theriault, 30, is a former NASCAR driver from Fort Kent who owns a driver development business.
Soboleski and Theriault have each touted endorsements from various lawmakers, residents and business owners, but this week was a reminder that Soboleski is trying to highlight his “grassroots” support in light of Theriault having Trump, national Republicans, polling and more money on his side.
On Thursday, Soboleski announced his “Honorable and active Legislator Coalition” by noting it is chaired by Rep. Dick Campbell, R-Orrington, and includes Dale Crafts, the ex-state lawmaker from Lisbon Falls who won the GOP’s 2nd District nomination in 2020 but lost to Golden.
Crafts and several others in the coalition had previously announced they would back Soboleski, with 30 state lawmakers and 22 former lawmakers mentioned apart from Campbell and Crafts. Current lawmakers include members such as Sen. Russell Black, R-Wilton, and Rep. Reagan Paul, R-Winterport, while the “honorable” group has, for example, ex-state Reps. Larry Lockman of Bradley and Bill Tuell of East Machias, who is also seeking his former seat in November.
Soboleski called it “both humbling and inspiring to receive such overwhelming support from elected leaders who have dedicated their lives to serving our Maine communities,” while Campbell mentioned Soboleski’s bill signed by Gov. Janet Mills to require the Legislature to approve vehicle emissions standards after a high-profile electric vehicle sales debate.
“Mike identifies issues early, searches for solutions and takes action like no other legislator,” Campbell said.
Still, Soboleski’s efforts to position himself as the candidate with the stronger conservative voting record and grassroots support are running up against Theriault, who also has the support of numerous state lawmakers along with the GOP’s standard-bearer — Trump.
While Trump is facing numerous criminal and civil cases, a February poll of Maine voters gave him a 38 percent to 32 percent edge over President Joe Biden, whom Soboleski and Theriault have both criticized and sought to link Golden to while campaigning.
But Republicans have not been able to figure out how to beat Golden since he won election to Congress in 2018, and Golden also voted against Biden more than any other House Democrat in 2023.
Golden’s latest criticism of Biden came after the president said Wednesday he would halt shipments of weapons to Israel if it launches a major military invasion into the Gaza city of Rafah as part of the war that began after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Golden said Biden’s “actions signal weakness to Hamas, to our allies and adversaries abroad, and at home.”
For Soboleski and Theriault, the state lawmaker and Trump endorsements may not matter as much as the preferences of 2nd District voters focused on issues both close to home and abroad while mulling which presidential candidate and party should run things in Washington.
