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Focus on Platner's Policies? He Fails Maine There, Too
Graham Platner's Democratic Senate campaign against Susan Collins faces scrutiny over policies that mirror Augusta's progressive agenda.
Center Right
Politics
Democrat Hannah Pingree and MAGA ally Bobby Charles will face off for Maine governor
Center Left
Both emerged from the state’s ranked choice voting process early Friday morning.
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Matt Dunlap Wins Democratic House Primary in Maine’s Swing District
Matt Dunlap defeated a candidate backed by the House Democratic campaign arm and is set to face former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, in a competitive general election.
Center Left
Axios
House Democrats suffer 2nd crushing primary loss as party's pick falls short in Maine
House Democratic leadership's preferred candidate in Maine's 2nd district, state Sen. Joe Baldacci, lost his primary to progressive rival Matt Dunlap, state election officials announced early Friday morning.Why it matters: This is the second time this month that a candidate backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has fallen short in their primary.California State Assembly member Jasmeet Bains, the DCCC-backed candidate in California's 22nd district, failed to make it to the general election, losing out to progressive Randy Villegas.The DCCC has sparked considerable tension among House Democrats by intervening in these races, with some lawmakers threatening to withhold their dues to the House Democratic campaign arm.Dunlap, Maine's state auditor, defeated both Baldacci and former congressional staffer Jordan Wood in a ranked-choice primary.Catch up quick: Baldacci was one of several candidates in contested primaries who were added to the DCCC's coveted "Red to Blue" list last month.The program is generally meant to help Democratic candidates in open or Republican-held battleground seats defeat their GOP opponents.But party leadership determined that Baldacci and several other candidates in districts across the country had the best chance of flipping or holding their districts.Yes, but: The DCCC's investment was minuscule compared to how much they spent in other primaries in California, Texas and Pennsylvania.They ran a $7,500 joint ad buy with Baldacci, whose own campaign spent nearly $250,000 on ads, according to AdImpact.Outside group Real Change PAC, which has suspected ties to Republicans, spent $500,000 on ads attacking Baldacci.What's next: Dunlap will face off with Republican former Gov. Paul LePage in the race to succeed Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine).The district is seen as one of the GOP's top potential pickups in November, having gone for President Trump by nine percentage points in 2024.
Center Left
New York Post
Twice as many MAGA Republicans favor regime change in Iran than those who want a negotiated settlement: poll
Americans are nearly evenly split between favoring Iranian regime change and a negotiated U.S. settlement with Iran, according to a new survey.
Right
New York Post
Will King Charles have to meet with Meghan Markle in order to see beloved grandchildren on UK visit? Insiders weigh in
"It would only make matters worse if the king refused to see her," a source said of Markle.
Right
RealClearPolitics - Homepage
If Democrats Aren't Cheating, Why Act Like This?
For several years, I've been debating with a close friend (who happens to be a pre-Trump Republican) about whether the Democrats habitually cheat in elections.
Center Right
New York Post
Top GOP lawmaker rallies around conservative school board member facing calls to resign
The moment is just the most recent clash between Republicans and school boards over policies that, in their view, are gatekeeping schools against diversity of thought and accountability.
Right