LePage Flips Maine House Seat in Ranked-Choice Count

Republican Paul LePage officially won Maine’s 2nd Congressional District after ranked-choice tabulation, defeating Democrat Matt Dunlap with 50.81% to 49.18%. LePage had narrowly led the initial count but fell short of the state’s majority threshold, requiring the legally mandated tabulation despite Dunlap’s concession. He will succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, flipping the rural district to Republicans in a closely contested race. LePage has begun congressional orientation in Washington.