BANGOR, Maine - The Bangor Daily News has projected Republican Bruce Poliquin the winner in Maine's 2nd Congressional District race against Democrat Emily Cain. But both candidates decided to pack up and go home, as they felt the race was still too close to call.
Republican Bruce Poliquin holds a small advantage over Democrat Emily Cain in Maine's 2nd Congressional District. With more than 77 percent of precincts reporting at this hour, Poliquin has a 47 to 43 percent lead over Cain.
Early in the evening, with Poliquin leading Cain by a few points, the Republican candidate showed up at his election night party at Dysart's in Bangor to greet supporters. Find a seat and get comfortable, he told them. It's going to be a long night. A few hours later, Poliquin stepped to the podium.
"It's trending our way still. Now we're counting the votes," he said. "So we're not going anywhere. We're going to be here all night - as long as it takes, until we get a decision on this."
A short time later, with Poliquin leading by about four points, Cain greeted her supporters at the Hilton Garden Inn, a few miles away. "And while we're still waiting for final results, I'm feeling really good about where we are," Cain said - good enough that Cain decided to call it a night and wait to say anything more about the outcome, until all the votes are counted.
A short time later, Poliquin sent word to his remaining supporters and the assembled media that he would also get some shut-eye.
Both candidates are expected to have more to say about the outcome in the 2nd District Wednesday.