2012 United States Senate election in Maine

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2012 United States Senate election in Maine
Flag of Maine.svg
←  2006 November 6, 2012 2018  →
  Angus King official portrait.jpg Charles E. Summers II.jpg Cynthia Dill.jpg
Nominee Angus King Charlie Summers Cynthia Dill
Party Independent Republican Democratic
Popular vote370,580215,39992,900
Percentage52.89%30.75%13.26%
2012 United States Senate election in Maine results map by county.svg
2012 United States Senate election in Maine results map by municipality.svg
King:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     >90%
Summers:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     >90%
Dill:     40–50%     60–70%     >90%
Tie:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%
U.S. senator before election

Olympia Snowe
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Angus King
Independent

The 2012 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Despite initially declaring her candidacy and being considered the favorite, popular incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe unexpectedly decided to retire instead of running for reelection to a fourth term.

Contents

Independent former governor Angus King won the open seat with 52.9% of the vote against Republican Charlie Summers and Democrat Cynthia Dill. Following independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman's retirement from the Senate in 2013, King became the second independent incumbent U.S. Senator, after Vermont's Bernie Sanders. This was the first U.S. Senate race in Maine since 1988 that was not won by a Republican. This was also the first Senate election in the state since 1854 not won by a Democrat or Republican.

After being elected, King met with Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. He then decided to caucus with the Democratic Party. This effectively gave the Democrats a 55–45 Senate majority due to the other independent, Bernie Sanders, caucusing with the Democrats as well.

Background

Incumbent Olympia Snowe won re-election to a third term in 2006 with 74.01% of the vote over Democrat Jean Hay Bright and independent Bill Slavick. Due to the unpopularity of some of Snowe's votes among conservative voters, namely for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and initial support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, there was speculation that she would face competition in the 2012 Republican primary from more conservative challengers. [1] The Tea Party Express had promised to aid in a primary against Snowe. [2] There had also been speculation that Snowe would switch parties, though she has always denied this. [3] [4] [5] By June 2011, Snowe had officially entered her name with signatures to run in the Republican primary, saying, she "would never switch parties".

However, on February 28, 2012, Snowe announced that she would be retiring from the U.S. Senate at the end of her term, citing the "atmosphere of polarization and 'my way or the highway' ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions" as the reason for her retirement. [6] Her announcement opened the door for candidates from all parties, creating a much more contested 2012 election. [7]

The primary election was held on June 12. [8]

Republican primary

Candidates

On ballot

Withdrew

  • Andrew Ian Dodge, conservative activist (ran as an independent) [13]
  • Olympia Snowe, incumbent U.S. senator (retiring) [7]

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Rick
Bennett		Scott
D'Amboise		Debra
Plowman		Bruce
Poliquin		William
Schneider		Charlie
Summers		OtherUndecided
MPRC [17] March 31 – April 2, 2012318±5.49%7%4%6%12%4%28%—40%
Hypothetical polling

Republican primary

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise		Andrew
Dodge		Olympia
Snowe		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [18] March 3–6, 2011434±4.7%18%10%43%—28%
Public Policy Polling [19] October 28–31, 2011250±6.2%10%7%62%—20%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe		Someone more
conservative		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [20] September 2–6, 2010584±4.1%29%63%—8%
Public Policy Polling [18] March 3–6, 2011434±4.7%33%58%—9%
Public Policy Polling [19] October 28–31, 2011250±6.2%46%47%—6%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe		Chandler
Woodcock		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [20] September 2–6, 2010584±4.1%33%38%—29%

Results

Results by county: .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Summers 30-40% 40-50% Poliquin 30-40%% Bennett 50-60% Plowman 20-30% 2012 Maine US Senate Republican primary.svg
Results by county:
  Summers
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Poliquin
  •   30–40%%
  Bennett
  •   50–60%
  Plowman
  •   20–30%
Republican primary results [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charlie Summers 20,578 29.46
Republican Bruce Poliquin15,97322.86
Republican Rick Bennett12,54417.96
Republican Scott D'Amboise7,73511.07
Republican William Schneider6,7849.71
Republican Deborah Plowman6,2448.94
Total votes69,098 100.00

Democratic primary

Candidates

On the ballot

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Cynthia
Dill		Matthew
Dunlap		Jon
Hinck		Benjamin
Pollard		OtherUndecided
Maine People's Resource Center [29] March 31 – April 2, 2012415±4.8%20%17%6%2%—55%

Results

Results by county Dill 40-50% 50-60% Dunlap 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% Maine Senate Democratic primary, 2012.svg
Results by county
  Dill
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Dunlap
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Democratic primary results [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Cynthia Dill 22,629 44.31
Democratic Matt Dunlap18,20235.64
Democratic Jon Hinck6,30212.34
Democratic Benjamin Pollard3,9457.72
Total votes51,078 100.00

General election

Candidates

Debates

2012 United States Senate election in Maine debates
No.DateHostModeratorLink Independent Democratic Independent Independent Republican Independent
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
Danny Dalton Cynthia Dill Andrew Ian Dodge Angus King Charlie Summers Steve Woods
1Nov. 1, 2012 Maine Public C-SPAN PPPPPP
2Nov. 2, 2012 WMTW-TV Shannon Moss C-SPAN PPPPPP

Campaign

The group Maine People's Alliance called on Charles Summers to resign his position as Secretary of State of Maine, stating that it was a conflict of interest for the secretary of state to oversee their own election to another office. They also had concerns over past actions in sending letters to college students about voter registration requirements. A spokesperson for Summers said that he had turned over all election oversight to a deputy secretary of state, and Summers himself stated that he was not going to resign. [38] No Secretary of State or Maine Attorney General who was seeking higher office in the last 30 years has resigned. [39]

Steve Woods announced on August 1 that, if elected, he would donate his entire Senate salary to Maine charities chosen by an independent committee of business and nonprofit leaders he would appoint. He encouraged Angus King to make a similar pledge; King responded through his spokesperson that he and his wife would continue to donate money to charities, and that all candidates should do so in "the best way they feel they can." [40]

Anti-spoiler proposal

Steve Woods met with Angus King on June 13 to discuss a proposal by Woods for either man to leave the race if it appeared one or the other was not going to win, in order to avoid being a spoiler candidate. Woods specifically cited the 2010 Maine Gubernatorial election as well as the 2000 presidential election as examples of what could result from a fragmented electorate. King stated that while he had not fully considered Woods' proposal, he didn't think he was a spoiler, in that "If I thought that, I wouldn't be running." Woods said that regardless of whether or not King accepted the proposal, he likely would abide by it and endorse King in late October if it appeared he would not win. [41] Woods did indeed drop out and endorsed King on November 4, stating that King had the "highest degree of integrity to represent all Mainers". Woods' name, however, remained on the ballot. [42]

Campaign spending issues

On June 13, Angus King held a press conference and stated that he would discourage campaign spending by outside groups if his opponents would agree to do the same. King criticized such spending as "a tidal wave of anonymous campaign expenditures that distort our political process." His proposed agreement was modeled on a similar agreement between Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown and his opponent Elizabeth Warren, which required them, if outside money is spent on their behalf, to donate an equivalent amount of money to the charity of their opponent's choice. Democrat Cynthia Dill criticized the proposal as lacking "detail or substance" but added that she "looked forward to seeing a proposed agreement." Republican Charles Summers did not state whether he would accept King's proposal or not but criticized King for discussing campaign finance instead of issues like the economy and government spending. [43] Andrew Ian Dodge called such an agreement "unworkable", while Steve Woods said he would abide by such an agreement. [44]

In a letter to King, Dill again stated that she was open to an agreement on limiting outside spending in the race, but she also called on King to support measures the candidates can take themselves to limit campaign spending. These include pledging to not finance their campaigns themselves and limiting contributions to $500. Dill also called on King to take stands on a variety of campaign finance legislation, such as the DISCLOSE Act. King told the Bangor Daily News the prior week that he does support increased disclosure requirements for super-PACs, but did not specifically say he supports the DISCLOSE Act. King is so far the only candidate to benefit from super-PAC money, as a group called icPurple Inc. spent $24,000 making an online advertisement for King. King stated that as part of his proposal, he would ask the group to take the ads down. [44]

Danny Dalton stated on June 14 that he would not accept any campaign donations whatsoever, in order to assure constituents that he will represent everyone equally. [45]

Steve Woods pledged to not spend more than $1.3 million on his campaign, or roughly $1 per Maine resident, including campaign donations and his own money. He stated, "If I can't get my message out and if the public isn't interested in that message, to spend more would be egregious." [46]

On July 18, King was criticized for attending a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., where he raised money from PACs and other donors. Republicans said King's actions were "the height of hypocrisy" for speaking out against PAC money and raising it at the same time, while Cynthia Dill criticized King as an "insider who is working the system". King defended his actions by stating that he "took no joy" in them but that it was necessary for him to raise money to defend himself in the "dogfight" he expects. King also reiterated his support of changing campaign finance laws and said that he was making no promises to donors. [47]

Endorsements

Cynthia Dill
Angus King

Individuals

Organisations

Andrew Ian Dodge

Fundraising

Candidate (party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash on handDebt
Angus King (I)$937,694$434,250$503,444$37,742
Charlie Summers (R)$294,081$174,082$119,289$55,000
Cynthia Dill (D)$104,512$75,988$28,521$5,698
Source: Federal Election Commission [62] [63]

Top contributors by employer

[64]

Angus KingContributionCharlie SummersContributionCynthia DillContribution
Lee Auto Mall $15,000Alamo PAC$10,000 Auto Europe $2,500
Bernstein Shur$13,300Kelly PAC$10,000Thornton Academy$2,500
Bowdoin College $11,500Making Business Excel PAC$5,000Southern Maine Community College$2,500
Elevation Partners $10,000Royal Shell Real Estate$5,000 Jones Day $2,000
Lee Auto Mall-Auburn$10,000White Rock Distilleries$5,000Quimby Foundation$2,000
International Union of Operating Engineers$10,000D&G Machine Products$3,000 City of Middletown Connecticut $1,000
Spectrum Health $8,9503M Co.$2,500Mill to the Hill PAC $1,000$1,000
Pierce Atwood LLP$8,500Doyle Group$2,500
Martin's Point Health Care$8,250 Speedway Motorsports, Inc. $2,500
Eaton Peabody$6,000Moulison North$2,500

Top industries

[66]

Angus KingContributionCharlie SummersContributionCynthia DillContribution
Retired$117,500 Leadership PACs $25,000 Lawyers/Law Firms $3,850
Lawyers/Law Firms$56,600Misc Business$23,500Retired$2,550
Financial Institutions $37,250Retired$12,000 Health Professionals $2,500
Real Estate $26,600Real Estate$6,000 Non-Profit Institutions $2,000
Automotive Industry $25,000 Manufacturing & Distributing$5,500 Women's Issues $1,500
Misc Finance$24,750 Alcohol industry $5,000 Civil Servants/Public Officials $1,250
Education$20,960General Contractors$3,000Leadership PACs$1,000
Misc Business$20,750Business Services$2,750Misc Business$500
Health Professionals$19,450 Telecommunications industry $2,500 Construction Industry $500
Insurance $16,750Insurance$2,500 Food Industry $350

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [67] TossupNovember 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball [68] Likely I (flip)November 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report [69] Likely I (flip)November 2, 2012
Real Clear Politics [70] Likely I (flip)November 5, 2012

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Charlie
Summers (R)		Cynthia
Dill (D)		Angus
King (I)		OtherUndecided
WBUR TV/MassInc Polling Group [71] June 13–14, 2012506±4.4%23%9%50%1%17%
Portland Press Herald/Critical Insights [72] June 20–25, 2012615±4%27%7%55%1%9%
Moore Consulting [73] August 5–6, 2012500±n/a28%8%46%——
Portland Press Herald/Critical Insights [74] September 12–16, 2012618±4%28%12%50%3%8%
Maine People's Resource Center [75] September 15–17, 2012856±3.35%28%15%44%6%7%
Public Policy Polling [76] September 17–18, 2012804±3.5%35%14%43%—8%
Rasmussen Reports [77] September 25, 2012500±4.5%33%14%45%1%7%
Pan Atlantic SMS [78] September 24–28, 2012400±4.9%24%12%50%—14%
Portland Press Herald/Critical Insights [79] October 30–31, 2012613±4%33%11%49%—7%
Public Policy Polling [80] November 1–2, 20121,633±2.4%36%12%50%—2%
Maine People's Resource Center [81] November 1–3, 2012905±3.26%34%11%48%5%3%
Hypothetical polling

with Olympia Snowe

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe (R)		Emily
Cain (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%64%20%—16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe (R)		Matt
Dunlap (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [83] October 28–31, 2011673±3.8%64%22%—15%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe (R)		Jon
Hinck (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [83] October 28–31, 2011673±3.8%65%18%—17%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe (R)		Mike
Michaud (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [83] October 28–31, 2011673±3.8%54%37%—9%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [83] October 28–31, 2011673±3.8%55%36%—9%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Olympia
Snowe (R)		Rosa
Scarcelli (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%66%18%—17%

with John Baldacci

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Rick
Bennett (R)		John
Baldacci (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%41%43%—16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise (R)		John
Baldacci (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%36%48%—16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Bruce
Poliquin (R)		John
Baldacci (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%35%50%—16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Bill
Schneider (R)		John
Baldacci (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%36%47%—17%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Charlie
Summers (R)		John
Baldacci (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%39%48%—13%

with Emily Cain

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise (R)		Emily
Cain (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%33%33%—34%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Andrew Ian
Dodge (R)		Emily
Cain (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%30%32%—37%

with Matt Dunlap

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise (R)		Matt
Dunlap (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [83] October 28–31, 2011673±3.8%23%31%—47%

with Rosa Scarcelli

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise (R)		Rosa
Scarcelli (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%36%29%—35%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Andrew Ian
Dodge (R)		Rosa
Scarcelli (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%33%29%—38%

with Pingree

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Rick
Bennett (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%39%52%—9%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%36%53%—12%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Bruce
Poliquin (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%33%54%—12%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Bill
Schneider (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%35%53%—12%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Charlie
Summers (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%37%53%—10%

Three-way matchups

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise (R)		Emily
Cain (D)		Olympia
Snowe (I)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%21%17%54%—7%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Andrew Ian
Dodge (R)		Emily
Cain (D)		Olympia
Snowe (I)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%19%15%56%—10%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
D'Amboise (R)		Rosa
Scarcelli (D)		Olympia
Snowe (I)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [82] March 3–6, 20111,246±2.8%20%15%56%—9%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Charlie
Summers (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		Andrew Ian
Dodge (I)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%33%49%9%—8%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Charlie
Summers (R)		Chellie
Pingree (D)		Angus
King (I)		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [84] March 2–4, 20121,256±2.8%28%31%36%—5%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Charlie
Summers (R)		Matt
Dunlap (D)		Angus
King (I)		OtherUndecided
Maine People's Resource Center [29] March 31 – April 2, 2012996±3.11%22%12%56%—10%

Results

United States Senate election in Maine, 2012 [85]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Angus King 370,580 52.89% N/A
Republican Charlie Summers 215,39930.75%−43.26%
Democratic Cynthia Dill 92,90013.26%−7.33%
Independent Steve Woods (withdrawn)10,2891.47%N/A
Independent Danny Dalton5,8070.83%N/A
Independent Andrew Ian Dodge5,6240.80%N/A
Total votes700,599 100.00% N/A
Independent gain from Republican

Counties that flipped from Republican to Independent

By congressional district

King won both congressional districts, which both elected Democrats. [86]

DistrictKingSummersDillRepresentative
1st 56.14%27.95%13.17% Chellie Pingree
2nd 49.26%33.88%13.36% Mike Michaud

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The 2014 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014 to elect the governor of Maine. Incumbent Republican governor Paul LePage won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Mike Michaud, the U.S. representative from Maine's 2nd congressional district, and independent Eliot Cutler, an attorney and second-place finisher from the 2010 gubernatorial election. This is currently the most recent election that Maine elected a Republican governor. Primary elections were held on June 10, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in Maine took place on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who had served in the position since 1997, won election to a fourth term in office with 68% of the vote. The primary elections were held on June 10, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of Maine, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including Governor of Maine and United States Senate. The primary elections were held on June 10, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Brakey</span> American politician (born 1988)

Eric Brakey is the current Executive Director of the Free State Project, and an American politician, serving in his third term as a Maine state senator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of Maine, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on June 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2018 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 6, 2018, alongside a gubernatorial election, U.S. House elections, and other state and local elections. Incumbent independent Senator Angus King won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Zak Ringelstein and Republican nominee Eric Brakey. This was one of two independent-held Senate seats up for election in a state that Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eliot Cutler</span> American politician, lawyer, and convicted felon

Eliot Raphael Cutler is an American former lawyer, political candidate, and sex offender. He was twice an Independent candidate in Maine's 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial races. In 2010, he placed second in a multi-way race, receiving 208,270 votes, equaling 35.9%, narrowly losing to Republican Paul LePage. In 2014 he garnered only 8.4%, placing third behind both the Democratic candidate as well as LePage, who was re-elected with 48.2% of the vote. Cutler had previously served in the Carter Administration as part of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. In May 2023, Cutler pled guilty to four counts of possessing child pornography, after being arrested in March 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Maine will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the U.S. Senate to represent the state of Maine. Independent incumbent Angus King, who caucuses with the Democratic Party, is seeking a third term. He is being challenged by Republican former state party chair Demitroula Kouzounas, Democratic state official David Costello, and independent attorney Jason Cherry. Primary elections took place on June 11, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ Toeplitz, Shira (November 10, 2010). "GOP senators see threat on right". Politico . Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  2. ↑ Peoples, Steve (February 10, 2011). "Tea Party Express Names Snowe as Its Next Moderate Republican Target". Roll Call. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gustini, Ray (November 10, 2010). "Will Olympia Snowe Switch Parties?". The Atlantic Journal. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  4. ↑ Moulitsas, Markos (September 14, 2010). "Right time for Snowe switch". The Hill. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  5. ↑ Klein, Ezra (November 11, 2009). "Will Olympia Snowe switch parties?". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  6. ↑ Bash, Dana and Paul Steinhauser (February 29, 2012). "Citing partisanship, Maine's Snowe says she'll leave the Senate". CNN News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  7. 1 2 Cillizza, Chris; Blake, Aaron (February 28, 2012). "Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe to retire in blow to GOP". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Ballot set for U.S. Senate primary in Maine | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram". Pressherald.com. March 23, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  9. 1 2 "3 Republicans file for Senate race in Main". Portland Press Herald . March 13, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  10. ↑ "D'Amboise distances himself from other Republicans". Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Plowman, Dunlap Submit Signatures For US Senate – WABI TV5". Wabi.tv. March 15, 2012. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  12. 1 2 Morrison, Lauren (March 15, 2012). "Candidates in Place to Fill Maine's Senate Seat, House Seats". WABI. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  13. ↑ Catanese, David (February 22, 2012). "Dodge quits Maine GOP, cites corruption". Politico . Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Mistler, Steve (March 2, 2012). "Raye staying in 2nd Congressional District race, no Senate bid". Lewiston Sun Journal . Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Breaking: Secretary Cohen Will Not Run for ME-Sen". Red Racing Horses. February 29, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  16. ↑ Russell, Eric (March 2, 2012). "With Michaud and Raye out of running for Senate, races start to take shape". Bangor Daily News . Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  17. ↑ MPRC
  18. 1 2 Public Policy Polling
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  21. 1 2 "AP Election Results | Campaign 2012 | C-SPAN". Hosted.ap.org. June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Dill sticks in Senate race". The Forecaster . March 7, 2012. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Dunlap to Challenge Snowe for Senate Seat". Maine Public Broadcasting Network . November 2, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  24. 1 2 "Hinck re-launches Senate campaign". The Portland Daily Sun . March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Former Gov. John Baldacci will not run for Snowe's U.S. Senate seat". Bangor Daily News . March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  26. ↑ Du Houx, Ramona (December 14, 2011). "Rep. Emily Cain will run for State Senate". MaineInsights.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  27. ↑ Russell, Eric (March 1, 2012). "Michaud to stay in House race; Republicans cautiously considering Senate seat". Bangor Daily News . Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Pingree won't run for U.S. Senate | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram". Pressherald.com. March 7, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  29. 1 2 Maine People's Resource Center
  30. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. 1 2 Stone, Matthew (May 29, 2012). "King submits signatures to qualify for Senate ballot". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Independent candidate for US Senate says he won't accept campaign donations". Bangor Daily News. June 14, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Dodge qualifies as independent U.S. Senate candidate". May 30, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  34. ↑ Livingston, Abby; Shiner, Meredith (February 28, 2012). "Olympia Snowe Shocks Colleagues With Retirement". Roll Call . Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Angus King enters race for U.S. Senate — State — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangordailynews.com. March 5, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  36. ↑ Cousins, Christopher (June 12, 2012). "Benjamin Pollard will continue US Senate campaign as a write-in — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  37. ↑ "Yarmouth executive to run for Senate as independent | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram". Pressherald.com. March 7, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  38. ↑ "Summers won't resign as Secretary of State during Senate campaign". Kennebec Journal. June 26, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Maine People's Alliance wants Summers resignation". Bangor Daily News. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  40. ↑ "Independent Senate candidate Steve Woods says he'll give Senate salary to Maine charities". Bangor Daily News. August 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  41. ↑ "Fellow independent Senate candidate Steve Woods issues challenge to Angus King — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangordailynews.com. June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Independent Steve Woods leaves Senate race, endorses King". Bangordailynews.com. November 4, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  43. ↑ Cousins, Christopher (June 13, 2012). "Angus King pledges to discourage super-PAC money if his opponents do the same — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  44. 1 2 "Dill says she's open to King's super-PAC challenge, wants more money limits". Bangor Daily News. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  45. ↑ "Independent candidate for US Senate says he won't accept campaign donations — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangordailynews.com. Associated Press. June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  46. ↑ Cousins, Christopher (June 20, 2012). "Yarmouth councilman takes a truly unconventional approach in bid for U.S. Senate — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangordailynews.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Angus King's opponents blast him for D.C. fundraiser | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME". Kjonline.com. July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  48. ↑ "Baldacci endorses Dill's U.S. Senate campaign". Sun Journal . August 17, 2012. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  49. ↑ "StackPath". www.cynthiadill.com.
  50. ↑ "National Women's Political Caucus backs Dill for U.S. Senate". Archived from the original on October 1, 2012.
  51. 1 2 "StackPath". www.cynthiadill.com.
  52. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 "Endorsements".
  53. ↑ Stone, Matthew. "Jesse Ventura, the Amazing Kreskin offer Maine Senate endorsements". bangordailynews.com.
  54. ↑ "Endorsed Candidates | Citizens for Global Solutions". Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  55. ↑ "Summers for United States Senate". Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  56. 1 2 Miga, Andrew (October 6, 2012). "King's independent bent roils Maine Senate race". Associated Press . Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  57. ↑ "NRA-PVF Endorses Charlie Summers for U.S. Senate in Maine". NRA-PVF. October 18, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Summers for United States Senate". Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
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  63. ↑ "King Campaign Finances". Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  64. ↑ Maine Senate 2012 Race, OpenSecrets
  65. "Federal Election Commission".
  66. ↑ "Kansas District 04 Race". OpenSecrets.
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  68. ↑ "2012 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  69. ↑ "2012 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
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  71. ↑ WBUR TV/MassInc Polling Group
  72. ↑ Portland Press Herald/Critical Insights
  73. ↑ Moore Consulting
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  75. ↑ Maine People's Resource Center
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  77. ↑ Rasmussen Reports
  78. ↑ Pan Atlantic SMS
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  85. ↑ "Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Results, 2012 US Senate Totals". www.maine.gov.
  86. ↑ LePage, Paul R. "Maine Certificate of Ascertainment 2016" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.

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