Matt Dunlap beats DCCC-backed candidate in primary for top Maine battleground

This post was originally published on Politico.

Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap won the Democratic primary for the state’s 2nd District, a blow to party leaders who backed one of his opponents in the top House battleground.

Dunlap, who emerged victorious from a ranked choice runoff early Friday morning, will face former GOP Gov. Paul LePage in a seat that is a priority target for both parties nationally.

Republicans are optimistic they can flip the district after Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who has represented the 2nd District since 2019, opted not to seek reelection this fall. President Donald Trump has won the district three times, including by