Former President Donald Trump’s influence within the GOP was underscored recently with the primary victory of Austin Theriault in Maine’s second congressional district. Theriault, a former NASCAR driver who competed in five races in the 2019 season, secured the Republican nomination and is set to challenge incumbent Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME), who is aiming for a fourth term.
.@AustinTheriault victory speech:
"Tonight was a victory for the working people here in Maine."
(📽️: WMTW ) pic.twitter.com/8FgTfSI9xn
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) June 12, 2024
Theriault won convincingly with 66.2% of the vote against his closest GOP competitor’s 33.8%, according to reports. Transitioning from his NASCAR career to politics, Theriault now focuses on driver development and his legislative duties as a state representative in Maine. Reflecting on his primary win, he expressed his commitment to prioritizing the needs of his constituents over political gamesmanship, emphasizing that his candidacy is about rectifying the neglect he perceives in the current political and economic systems.
The former racer criticized the leadership of both Congressman Golden and President Joe Biden, blaming them for the district’s challenges and positioning himself as a candidate of change aimed at revitalizing the area. Theriault attributed part of his electoral success to Trump, who remains a popular figure in the district. He recounted how Trump considered him a strong match for the district, capable of achieving significant accomplishments in Congress.
This is the honor of my life — being selected by the people of the state that I love so much.
I deeply appreciate the support and want folks to know: I am running to fight for you. It's time to put People over Politics.
Too many Mainers have been forgotten and left behind by… pic.twitter.com/CrAR80w1W3
— Austin Theriault (@AustinTheriault) June 12, 2024
Looking ahead to potential roles in Congress, Theriault has aligned himself with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), signaling his support for Johnson’s continued leadership. His legislative priorities include tackling immigration, an issue he sees as directly affecting his district through its implications on drug trafficking and human trafficking, despite Maine’s geographic distance from the southern U.S. border.
Congrats, @AustinTheriault, on becoming the Republican nominee for #ME02. Austin knows what it takes to win and will tirelessly fight for our shared conservative values. pic.twitter.com/eFnKvBDI5F
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScaliseGOP) June 12, 2024
Theriault also highlighted his NASCAR career as a foundation for his political aspirations, noting that his experience in the sport required not just competitive skill but also significant business acumen. He drew parallels between his background and the business-oriented approach that many voters admired in Trump, suggesting that his combined experiences in sports and business equip him well for effective political leadership. Theriault’s campaign looks ahead to the November elections with a focus on leveraging his unique background to address the issues most pressing to the voters of Maine’s second district.
Major Points
- Former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault won the Republican nomination for Maine’s second congressional district, securing 66.2% of the vote.
- Theriault, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, will challenge incumbent Democrat Jared Golden in a highly anticipated congressional race.
- He criticized the current leadership under Congressman Golden and President Joe Biden, attributing local economic and social issues to their policies.
- Theriault emphasized his priority on immigration reform and his commitment to business acumen, drawing parallels to Trump’s leadership style.
- With his background in NASCAR and business, Theriault positions himself as a change agent ready to bring practical solutions to Congress.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
