# 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine

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The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine were held on November 3, 2020, 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 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The election was conducted with ranked choice voting, as per the result of a referendum passed in 2016.
Party primaries were initially scheduled to take place on June 9, 2020. They were rescheduled by Gov. Janet Mills to July 14, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mills' executive order also expanded the ability to request absentee ballots, which may now be done up to and on election day. Parties that qualified to participate in the 2020 primary election were the Democratic Party, the Green Independent Party, and the Republican Party. Two candidates in District 1 and four candidates in District 2 filed petitions with the secretary of state by March 16, 2020. Non-party candidates could also file petitions to be included on the ballot by June 1, 2020.

## Overview

| District | Democratic | Democratic | Republican | Republican | Others | Others | Total | Total | Result |
| District | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Result |
| District 1 | 271,004 | 62.15% | 165,008 | 37.84% | 15 | 0.00% | 436,027 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| District 2 | 197,974 | 53.04% | 175,228 | 46.95% | 33 | 0.01% | 373,235 | 100.0% | Democratic hold |
| Total | 468,978 | 57.95% | 340,236 | 42.04% | 48 | 0.01% | 809,262 | 100.0% | |
Popular vote
Democratic
57.95%
Republican
42.04%
Other
0.01% :
House seats
Democratic
100.00% :

## District 1

The 1st district encompasses the southern coastal area of the state, taking in Portland, Augusta, Brunswick and Saco. The incumbent was Democrat Chellie Pingree, who was re-elected with 58.8% of the vote in 2018.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Declared

* Chellie Pingree, incumbent U.S. Representative

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Chellie Pingree (incumbent) | 102,773 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 102,773 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates
##### Declared

* Jay Allen, physician

#### Primary results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jay Allen | 31,124 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,124 | 100.0 |

### General election
#### Debate

2022 Maine's 1st congressional district debate :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Chellie Pingree | Jay Allen |
| 1 | Oct. 21, 2020 | Maine Public Broadcasting Network | Jennifer Rooks | | P | P |

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe D | October 2, 2020 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | October 1, 2020 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | October 1, 2020 |
| Politico | Safe D | September 8, 2020 |
| Daily Kos | Safe D | September 25, 2020 |
| RCP | Safe D | June 9, 2020 |
| Niskanen | Safe D | July 26, 2020 |

#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Chellie Pingree (D) | Jay Allen (R) | Other/ Undecided |
| Colby College | October 21–25, 2020 | 426 (LV) | – | 58% | 31% | 11% |
| Pan Atlantic Research | October 2–6, 2020 | 300 (LV) | ± 6.4% | 54% | 35% | 11% |
| Critical Insights | September 25 – October 4, 2020 | 232 (LV) | – | 58% | 24% | 18% |
| Critical Insights | July 28 – August 10, 2020 | 233 (LV) | – | 50% | 22% | 27% |

#### Results

Maine's 1st congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Chellie Pingree (incumbent) | 271,004 | 62.2 |
| | Republican | Jay Allen | 165,008 | 37.8 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 15 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 436,027 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## District 2

The 2nd district covers most of northern rural Maine, including the cities of Lewiston, Bangor, Auburn and Presque Isle. The incumbent was Democrat Jared Golden, who flipped the district and was elected with 50.6% of the vote in 2018, making him the first member of Congress to be elected by ranked choice voting. Donald Trump won the district in the concurrent presidential election.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates
##### Declared

* Jared Golden, incumbent U.S. representative

#### Endorsements

Federal officials
* William Cohen, former U.S. senator (Republican)
Organizations
* End Citizens United
* J Street PAC
* League of Conservation Voters Action Fund
* NARAL Pro-Choice America
* Planned Parenthood Action Fund
* Sierra Club
* VoteVets

#### Primary results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jared Golden (incumbent) | 57,718 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,718 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### On the ballot

* Adrienne Bennett, press secretary for former governor Paul LePage
* Eric Brakey, former state senator and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018
* Dale Crafts, former state representative

#### Declined

* Travis Mills, retired U.S. Army staff sergeant
* Bruce Poliquin, former U.S. representative

#### Endorsements

Federal officials
* Elise Stefanik, U.S. representative (NY-21)
Organizations
* Elevate PAC
* Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund
* Value in Electing Women (VIEW) PAC
Federal officials
* Rand Paul, U.S. senator (KY)
State officials
* Paul Davis, state senator and former state representative (2008-2014), state Senate minority leader (2004-2006), and state senator (1998-2006) (co-endorsed with Dale Crafts)
Organizations
* Club for Growth
* FreedomWorks
* Protect Freedom PAC
Federal officials
* Dan Crenshaw, U.S. representative (TX-2)
* Donald Trump, President of the United States (2017-2021)
U.S. Governors
* Paul LePage, former governor of Maine (2011-2019) and 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate
* Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota
State officials
* Bernard Ayotte, former state representative (2006-2014)
* Kevin Battle, former state representative (2014-2018)
* Robert Berube, former state representative (2002-2008)
* Russell Black, state senator and former state representative (2010-2018)
* David C. Burns, former state senator (2012-2016)
* Richard Cebra, state representative and former Maine Republican Party chair (2012-2013) and state representative (2004-2012)
* Patrick Corey, state representative
* Dean Cray, former state representative (2008-2014)
* Andre Cushing III, former state senator (2012-2018), state Senate assistant majority leader, and state representative (2008-2012)
* Scott Cyrway, state senator
* Douglas Damon, former state representative (2010-2012)
* Paul Davis, state senator and former state representative (2008-2014), state senator (2002-2006), and state Senate minority leader (2004-2006) (co-endorsed with Eric Brakey)
* Peter Doak, former state representative (2012-2014)
* Dana Dow, state senator and state Senate minority leader
* Gary Drinkwater, state representative
* Bradlee Farrin, state senator and former state representative (2014-2018)
* Jeffery Gifford, former state representative (2006-2014)
* Randall Greenwood, former state representative (2014-2016)
* James Hamper, state senator and former state representative (2004-2012)
* Jeffery Hanley, state representative (co-endorsed with Eric Brakey)
* Gary Hilliard, former state representative (2014-2018)
* Brian Hobart, former state representative (2014-2016)
* Peter Johnson, former state representative (2008-2014)
* L. Gary Knight, former state representative (2006-2014)
* Ricky Long, former state representative (2010-2016)
* Tom Martin, state representative and former state senator (2010-2012)
* Garrett Mason, former state senator (2010-2018) and state Senate majority leader
* Rick Mason, state representative (co-endorsed with Eric Brakey)
* Michael McClellan, former state representative (2010-2016)
* Susan Morissette, former state representative (2010-2012)
* Joshua Morris, state representative (co-endorsed with Eric Brakey)
* Allen Nadeau, former state representative (2012-2014)
* Melvin Newendyke, former state representative (2010-2014)
* John Picchiotti, former state representative (2010-2012, 2014-2018)
* Richard Pickett, state representative
* Jeffrey Pierce, former state representative (2014-2018)
* Debra Plowman, acting Education Commissioner (2016), Republican candidate in 2012 U.S. Senate race, and former state senator (2004-2012) and state Senate assistant majority leader and state representative (1992-2000)
* Gary Plummer, former state senator (2012-2014) and state representative (2004-2012)
* Matthew Pouliot, state senator and former state representative (2014-2018)
* Kerri Prescott, former state representative (2006-2012)
* Deborah Sanderson, state representative
* Jeff Timberlake, state senator and former state representative (2010-2018)
* Michael Timmons, former state representative (2014-2016)
* William Tuell, state representative
* Charlie Webster, former Maine Republican Party chair (2008-2012), 1994 Republican gubernatorial candidate, and former state senator (1984-1994), state Senate minority leader (1988-1992), state Senate assistant minority leader (1986-1988), and state representative (1980-1984)
* Stephen Wood, former state representative (2010-2018)
* David Woodsome, state senator
Newspapers
* Bangor Daily News
Organizations
* Family Research Council (FRC) Action
* National Federation of Independent Business
Individuals
* Shawn Moody, businessman, 2018 Republican gubernatorial nominee, and 2010 independent gubernatorial candidate
* Susan Collins, U.S. senator from Maine

#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adrienne Bennett | Eric Brakey | Dale Crafts | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | June 30 – July 6, 2020 | 604 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 25% | 19% | 37% | 19% |
| SurveyUSA | June 30 – July 6, 2020 | 604 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 31% | – | 45% | 34% |
| We Ask America | June 16–17, 2020 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 28% | 22% | 20% | 29% |

#### Debate

2020 Maine's 2nd congressional district republican primary debate :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Republican | Republican |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Adrienne Bennett | Eric Brakey | Dale Crafts |
| 1 | Jul. 9, 2020 | Maine Public Television | Jennifer Rooks | | P | P | P |

#### Primary results

Both Bennett and Brakey conceded the race to Crafts the day after the primary. As Crafts did not get 50% of the vote, Maine's ranked choice system calls for the second choices of the last place candidate's votes to be distributed to the other candidates, whether or not the candidates concede the race. Crafts criticized this as a waste of taxpayer dollars, and both Bennett and Brakey said they would refuse to accept the results of the ranked choice tabulation. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said whether the concessions could stop the tabulation was "a question for lawyers", but that the tabulation would begin on July 18. Crafts called on the Maine Legislature to examine this issue. Dunlap's office, while not responding directly to Crafts' call to action on the Legislature, did agree with Crafts that Dunlap was performing his duty under the law.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Round 1 | Round 1 | | Round 2 | Round 2 | Round 2 |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Transfer | Votes | % (gross) | % (net) |
| | Republican | Dale Crafts | 23,665 | 45.0% | +3,551 | 28,019 | 53.3% | 58.0% |
| | Republican | Adrienne Bennett | 16,920 | 32.2% | +3,375 | 20,295 | 38.6% | 42.0% |
| | Republican | Eric Brakey | 11,976 | 22.8% | -11,976 | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Total active votes | Total active votes | Total active votes | 52,561 | | | 48,314 | | 100.0% |
| Exhausted ballots | Exhausted ballots | Exhausted ballots | | | +3,252 | 4190 | 8.0% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 52,561 | 100.0% | | 52,561 | 100.0% | |
% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)
% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

### General election
#### Debate

2020 Maine's 1st congressional district debate :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Jared Golden | Dale Crafts |
| 1 | Oct. 25, 2020 | Maine Public Television | Jennifer Rooks | | P | P |

#### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely D | October 2, 2020 |
| Inside Elections | Safe D | October 16, 2020 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely D | October 1, 2020 |
| Politico | Lean D | October 11, 2020 |
| Daily Kos | Likely D | October 29, 2020 |
| RCP | Lean D | June 9, 2020 |
| Niskanen | Lean D | July 26, 2020 |

#### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jared Golden (D) | Dale Crafts (R) | Other/ Undecided |
| Change Research | October 29 – November 2, 2020 | 475 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 53% | 44% | 3% |
| Colby College | October 21–25, 2020 | 453 (LV) | – | 56% | 31% | 13% |
| Pan Atlantic Research | October 2–6, 2020 | 300 (LV) | ± 6.4% | 60% | 33% | 7% |
| Critical Insights | September 25 – October 4, 2020 | 234 (LV) | – | 52% | 34% | 14% |
| Colby College | September 17–23, 2020 | 275 (LV) | – | 56% | 33% | 11% |
| Siena College/NYT Upshot | September 11–16, 2020 | 440 (LV) | – | 56% | 37% | 6% |
| Fabrizio Ward/Hart Research Associates | August 30 – September 5, 2020 | 367 (LV) | – | 53% | 40% | 7% |
| Wick Surveys (D) | August 25–28, 2020 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 50% | 44% | 6% |
| Critical Insights | July 28 – August 10, 2020 | 218 (LV) | – | 46% | 36% | 18% |
| Colby College/SocialSphere | July 18–24, 2020 | 888 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 45% | 33% | 22% |
Jared Golden vs. generic Republican
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jared Golden (D) | Generic Republican | Undecided |
| Colby College/SocialSphere | February 10–13, 2020 | 493 (LV) | – | 43% | 29% | 28% |

#### Results

Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jared Golden (incumbent) | 197,974 | 53.04 |
| | Republican | Dale Crafts | 175,228 | 46.95 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 33 | 0.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 373,235 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |