U.S. Rep. Jared Golden and his opponent, State Rep. Austin Theriault, are facing off in a contentious battle in Maine’s 2nd District race, with guns emerging as a key issue. Golden, who shifted towards gun control after a mass shooting in Lewiston last year, saw a backlash from gun rights supporters. He saw his NRA grade drop from a B to an F and was criticized by Theriault for his stance on guns. Theriault, on the other hand, received an A+ grade from the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.
The race took a turn when a story emerged about a gun-related police call Theriault made in 2023, where he reported a man holding an AR-15 on his property. The incident was deemed not to involve any criminal activity, but it added fuel to the gun debate between the two candidates. Golden’s allies have highlighted his support for gun control measures, contrasting with Theriault’s pro-gun stance.
The battle over guns in the race reflects a larger Democratic strategy to challenge key Republican arguments in a high-profile House race. With the election just days away from the anniversary of the Lewiston shooting, the issue of guns is expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the race. Both candidates are continuing to push their positions on the issue to win over voters in the swing-seat election.
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