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After seeking a more moderate tone in recent debates rather than promoting former President Donald Trump, state Rep. Austin Theriault is touting his Trump endorsement in the home stretch of his 2nd District race against U.S. Rep. Jared Golden.
It comes after Theriault’s other recent ads focused on the Fort Kent Republican and former NASCAR driver’s vows to not cut Social Security and “bring balance to Washington” and is a sign that he may be worried about lingering swing support for the Democratic congressman.
What’s the news: The latest ad opens with a past TV interview in which Golden, a Democrat and Marine veteran, says, “I’m not voting for Donald Trump.” It then claims Golden supports Vice President Kamala Harris’ agenda while opposing “Trump’s wall.”
Golden has not said whether he will vote for Harris and declined to endorse any presidential candidate this year, and he voted against President Joe Biden’s policies more than any other House Democrat in 2023. While Republicans have pointed often to Golden’s vote against Republicans’ signature border bill, he has supported funding for physical barriers.
The ad then pivots to footage of Theriault shaking hands with people while a narrator mentions his Trump endorsement and support for Trump’s policies. It also says Theriault will “secure the border” and “fix our economy.”
What’s the context: Theriault easily won his June primary thanks in part to Trump endorsing the Fort Kent Republican. Theriault’s campaign frequently highlighted Trump’s endorsement in primary ads and social media posts, but Theriault has mentioned the former president who faces Harris on Nov. 5 far less lately.
During one of his debates against Golden this fall, Theriault gave a line used by other supporters of Trump over the years by saying he does not always like Trump’s rhetoric and tweets but views his policies as better for the country.
What’s really happening: Theriault’s focus on Trump comes as he and Golden vie for a small share of undecided 2nd District voters who will decide the race. Republicans publicized internal polling on Wednesday that showed Theriault ahead but Golden winning 12 percent of Republicans. That’s above the share that Democrats think Golden needs to keep his seat.
Theriault is betting in part on Trump’s success to help him beat Golden this year, and that will take bringing more of these Republican voters home.
