United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 House elections in Maine
occurred on November 2, 2010, and elected the members of the State
of Maine's delegation to the United States House of Representatives
. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; the elected served in the 112th Congress
from January 3, 2011 until January 3, 2013. Maine has two seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census.
These elections were held concurrently with the United States Senate elections of 2010, the United States House elections
in other states, and the 2010 Maine gubernatorial election
.
ran for re-election to a second term from this liberal district based around metro Portland and the southern coastal region of Maine
. Pingree was initially thought to be a shoo-in for re-election against Republican businessman Dean Scontras, but Scontras benefited from some negative publicity over her use of a private jet, despite ironically criticisizing politicians for using them two years earlier. Polling indicated that the race would be tight, but in the end, Pingree was re-elected by a solid margin of victory. Interestingly, she was one of eight Democrats in the House of Representatives
to win election in 2010 by a larger margin than in 2008.
, who was first elected in 2002, considered running for Governor
this year, but ultimately decided to run for a fifth term in Congress. Running for re-election in this liberal-leaning district, which constitutes nearly 80% of the state of Maine
, Congressman Michaud faced Republican businessman Jason Levesque. The candidates squared off in a debate on October 19 that saw many personal attacks and sharp disagreement over matters of policy. In particular, Levesque made an issue over the fact that Michaud received $12,000 in campaign contributions from embattled Congressman Charlie Rangel and had not returned the money. Polls indicated a slight advantage for Michaud in a contentious race, and on election day, Michaud won re-election by a healthy ten-point margin of victory.
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
occurred on November 2, 2010, and elected the members of the State
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Maine's delegation to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; the elected served in the 112th Congress
112th United States Congress
The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and will end on January...
from January 3, 2011 until January 3, 2013. Maine has two seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census.
These elections were held concurrently with the United States Senate elections of 2010, the United States House elections
United States House of Representatives elections, 2010
The 2010 United States House of Representatives elections, also known as the 2010 midterm elections, were held on November 2, 2010, at the midpoint of President Barack Obama's first term in office. Voters of the 50 U.S. states chose 435 U.S. Representatives. Voters of the U.S...
in other states, and the 2010 Maine gubernatorial election
Maine gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor John Baldacci was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010...
.
Overview
| United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2010 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– | |
| Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
316,156 | 56.02% | 2 | — | |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
248,170 | 43.97% | 0 | — | |
| Independents | 42 | 0.01% | 0 | — | |
| Totals | 564,368 | 100.00% | 2 | — | |
Campaign
Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Chellie PingreeChellie Pingree
Rochelle M. "Chellie" Pingree is an American politician. She is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing since 2009. The district includes most of the southern part of the state, including Portland and Augusta.Pingree was a member of the Maine Senate from...
ran for re-election to a second term from this liberal district based around metro Portland and the southern coastal region of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. Pingree was initially thought to be a shoo-in for re-election against Republican businessman Dean Scontras, but Scontras benefited from some negative publicity over her use of a private jet, despite ironically criticisizing politicians for using them two years earlier. Polling indicated that the race would be tight, but in the end, Pingree was re-elected by a solid margin of victory. Interestingly, she was one of eight Democrats in the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
to win election in 2010 by a larger margin than in 2008.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Chellie Pingree (D) | Dean Scontras (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Insights | October 27-28, 2010 | 41% | 45% |
| Critical Insights | October 13-17, 2010 | 45% | 40% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS Group | October 11-15, 2010 | 49% | 32.6% |
| Critical Insights | October 10-11, 2010 | 48% | 33% |
| MECPO | October 4-7, 2010 | 46% | 38% |
| Critical Insights | September 27, 2010 | 54% | 26% |
| Critical Insights | September 13, 2010 | 53% | 29% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 2-6, 2010 | 47% | 38% |
Results
Campaign
Incumbent Democratic Congressman Mike MichaudMike Michaud
Michael Herman Michaud is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district comprises nearly 80% of the state by area and includes the cities of Lewiston, Auburn, Bangor, and Presque Isle...
, who was first elected in 2002, considered running for Governor
Maine gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor John Baldacci was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010...
this year, but ultimately decided to run for a fifth term in Congress. Running for re-election in this liberal-leaning district, which constitutes nearly 80% of the state of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, Congressman Michaud faced Republican businessman Jason Levesque. The candidates squared off in a debate on October 19 that saw many personal attacks and sharp disagreement over matters of policy. In particular, Levesque made an issue over the fact that Michaud received $12,000 in campaign contributions from embattled Congressman Charlie Rangel and had not returned the money. Polls indicated a slight advantage for Michaud in a contentious race, and on election day, Michaud won re-election by a healthy ten-point margin of victory.
Polling
| Poll Source | Dates Administered | Mike Michaud (D) | Jason Levesque (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Insights | October 27-28, 2010 | 44% | 40% |
| Critical Insights | October 13-17, 2010 | 49% | 30% |
| Pan Atlantic SMS Group | October 11-15, 2010 | 48.8% | 29.3% |
| Critical Insights | October 10-11, 2010 | 43% | 30% |
| Critical Insights | September 27, 2010 | 44% | 32% |
| Critical Insights | September 13, 2010 | 48% | 28% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 2-6, 2010 | 45% | 38% |
Results
External links
- Elections Division at the Maine Secretary of State site
- U.S. Congress candidates for Maine at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Maine U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com
- Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Maine from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- 2010 Maine General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- House - Maine from the Cook Political ReportCook Political ReportThe Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...