Fourth Republican Joins Race For 2nd District Seat

Penobscot County Treasurer John Hiatt has become the fourth Republican to join the primary contest in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race.

John Hiatt during the Penobscot County Commissioners' meeting in Bangor on Dec. 4, 2018. Hiatt, a Republican, has been elected Penobscot County treasurer and simultaneously a member of the Bangor School Committee.

Credit Gabor Degre / BDN File

Hiatt says he views himself as the underdog in the primary race, as fellow Republicans Adrienne Bennett, Dale Krafts and Eric Brakey have already been campaigning and embracing President Donald Trump -- who won the district in 2016 by ten points.

Hiatt says he is not anti-Trump, and he told the Bangor Daily News that he is neutral when it comes to the president. But he says he wants to bring respect back to the Republican Party. Hiatt says he is anti-abortion, and fiscally conservative, but believes everyone should have health care.