FORT KENT, Maine (AP) — NASCAR driver-turned-politician Austin Theriault introduced Monday that he’s coming into the Republican major searching for a possibility to problem Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in what’s anticipated to be one of many nation’s best 2024 Home races.
Theriault, who made his announcement on radio reveals, stated he’ll “are available in with hearth” to confront points like inflation, unlawful border crossings and dying small cities. “Common hardworking of us are getting held down by out-of-touch, out-of-state elites who’re clueless about how laborious it’s to make a residing in Maine,” he stated.
The 29-year-old freshman state lawmaker from Fort Kent formally filed his paperwork Monday, becoming a member of mortgage dealer Robert Cross, of Dedham and one other first-term lawmaker, Michael Soboleski, of Phillips, within the major contest.
Golden stated he’s not worrying himself in regards to the major subject.
“That major is greater than eight months away so I’m not very centered on the person horse race aside from to say I’ll face one in every of them ultimately within the fall of 2024. Till then my focus stays on my household and on the work the individuals of Maine’s Second District elected me to do,” Golden stated in a press release.
The agricultural, sprawling 2nd Congressional District has develop into a hotly contested seat because the area has develop into a conservative bastion in liberal New England. Former President Donald Trump gained the district in 2020, giving him an electoral vote.
Golden has gained thrice, twice defeating former GOP Rep. Bruce Poliquin due to ranked voting. The voting system is designed to make sure the winner collects a majority of the vote by permitting extra voting rounds through which lower-ranked candidates are eradicated and votes are reallocated. It was upheld in federal courtroom after Poliquin sued after his 2018 defeat.
Theriault isn’t the one race automotive driver to attempt his hand at politics in New England. Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott has for many years been an everyday on the Thunder Street monitor, however his racing profession didn’t attain the identical heights as Theriault.
Theriault launched his profession on the native speedway and labored his strategy to NASCAR’s prime stage earlier than being injured in a crash at 2019 race on the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. He has since stepped again from driving, and consults and mentors different drivers.
