In one of the most closely watched congressional races in the country, Rep. Jared Golden will face Republican challenger Austin Theriault in November for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. The race has sparked a clash over gun rights, with Golden questioning Theriault’s commitment to the Second Amendment after it was revealed that Theriault called police on a man carrying an AR-15 on his own property in 2023.
Maine’s 2nd District, known for its strong culture of hunting and gun ownership, could determine which party controls the House of Representatives. Theriault, who received an endorsement from the NRA, defended his actions by stating he witnessed an apparent altercation and called the police as a concerned citizen. Golden, a former Marine, criticized Theriault’s decision and questioned his support for gun rights.
Theriault’s campaign manager accused Golden of pushing the story, while gun rights groups in Maine have remained divided over the issue. Golden’s stance on restricting assault-style weapons after a mass shooting in Lewiston had already alienated him from gun rights groups, leading to a shift in his grades from gun rights organizations. Theriault received high ratings and endorsements from the NRA, leading to speculation about a potential change in support given the recent incident report.
Gun rights groups in Maine, including the NRA, are evaluating their endorsements in light of the incident. As the race heats up, the focus on gun rights and the handling of firearms incidents could play a significant role in determining the outcome in the closely contested 2nd District.
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