Maine state Senate President Kevin Raye (R) has decided to continue his campaign against Rep. Mike Michaud (D) in the state’s 2nd district, instead of mounting a Senate bid.

Raye had been considering the statewide race in light of Sen. Olympia Snowe’s (R) retirement announcement this week. In a statement, Raye described the encouragement he had received from his supporters.

“Many of them have urged me to run for the United States Senate, and others have asked me to continue my candidacy for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat,” he said. “After careful consideration, I have decided to remain a candidate for the 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

conclusion

Both decisions mean that the National Republican Congressional Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will have their strongest possible candidates running in the 2nd district. Had Michaud opted to run for Senate, the district would have been a very competitive pickup opportunity for the GOP.

Still, the 2nd district race is one to watch. Raye is mounting a serious challenge to Michaud, who beat him in 2002 by a narrow margin in what was then an open-seat race.