Skip to content

Democrat Picks Preferred GOP Opponent in Maine (Video)

By Emily Cahn and Colin Diersing
Posted June 4, 2014 at 6:02am

The candidate: State Sen. Emily Cain.
The member: Cain is running for the Democratic nomination in Maine’s 2nd District, an open-seat race because Democratic Rep. Michael H. Michaud is running for governor.
The district:  Located in the northern part of the state, this district voted for President Barack Obama with 53 percent in 2012.
The candidate’s team: Jill Normington (polling), Steven Stenberg of The Strategy Group (mail), CD2 (media).  

[field name=iframe] State Sen. Emily Cain, the front-runner for the Democratic nod in Maine’s open 2nd District, said in a recent interview with CQ Roll Call that of the two potential Republicans she could face in November, she would rather run against tea party firebrand Bruce Poliquin.  

In the April 30 interview, Cain said Poliquin’s “tea party leanings” are “farther out of step with Maine people than just about anybody [she knows] running for office.”  

“I think he would be a better opponent for the fall,” she concluded.  

Cain faces fellow state Sen. Troy Jackson in a June 10 primary. But Democratic and Republican operatives said Cain, who has raised the most money and has outside support from groups such as EMILY’s List and the League of Conservation Voters, is expected to easily advance to the general election in November.  

Also the interview, Cain said she expects to raise more than $700,000 for the primary alone.  

The Republican primary is a battle between Poliquin, the state’s former treasurer, and former state Sen. Kevin Raye. GOP operative described Raye as the front-runner, thanks in large part to his familiarity with voters from his time in the Legislature and two failed House bids in the 2nd District.
Maine’s 2nd District is rated
Leans Democratic
by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
This video interview series questions the scores of congressional hopefuls who visit the CQ Roll Call offices each cycle. Responses and questions have been edited and condensed. Have a question for a candidate? Follow us at @RollCallPols to learn about upcoming interviews.
Previous candidate interviews:

Recent Stories

The Capitol will be busy with confirmation hearings ahead of Inaugration Day.

Cabinet confirmation hearings dominate agenda as immigration bills move along

A man holds a Carter-Mondale campaign sign outside the Capitol on Tuesday night as people arrive for the general public viewing of former President Jimmy Carter, lying in state in the Rotunda.

Welcome back, and farewell, Carter — Congressional Hits and Misses

Russell Ellis, right, who goes by "JollyGoodGinger," live streams Friday outside the Supreme Court building after the court heard oral arguments on whether to overturn or delay a law that could lead to a ban of TikTok in the U.S.

Supreme Court sounds ready to back TikTok ban law

A view of flames on a ridge, as seen Thursday from Topanga Canyon near Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles.

As California fires rage, so does what could be final Trump-Biden battle

Then-Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is seen in the Capitol last year.

Menendez prosecutors seek 15 years in prison in corruption case

Carter family members touch the casket as they pay their respects during former President Jimmy Carter’s lying in state ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Photos of the week ending January 10, 2025