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.
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