LePage declares victory; Maine’s 2nd District race not yet called
Former Gov. Paul LePage declared victory in the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District on Wednesday afternoon, speaking at Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Bangor, WMTW reported. The Maine Morning Star reported that “outlets had not yet called the race.”
The Associated Press had not called the race as of WMTW’s 5:27 p.m. update. State Auditor Matt Dunlap has not conceded, WMTW reported. Results are unofficial, and counting continues.
As of 5:22 p.m., with 92% of votes counted, the AP had LePage with a lead of 1,830 votes over Dunlap, WMTW reported in its 5:27 p.m. update.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the AP showed LePage leading Dunlap by fewer than 2,000 votes with 92% of precincts reporting, Maine Public reported. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said on Wednesday’s “Maine Calling” program that every town has counted its ballots, but under state law, clerks have two days to verify results and send them to her office, Maine Public reported.
Districtwide count
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. Unofficial results.
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Dunlap, Matthew G. | 156,995 |
| LePage, Paul R. | 158,825 |
| Ward, Gregory A. (declared write-in) | 163 |
Totals are from WABI-TV’s election results page, which showed an estimated 91.8% of votes in when Lincoln Town Square checked it at 6:05 p.m. Wednesday.
The AP had Dunlap at 49.9% and LePage at 50% with 88% counted, the Maine Morning Star reported in a story posted at 2:12 p.m.
As of 2 p.m., Dunlap had 48.8% and LePage had 49.9% with 93% of results counted, according to initial numbers from the Bangor Daily News, which gathers totals from municipalities and partners with Decision Desk HQ, the Morning Star reported.
Vote counts differ slightly between news outlets as results are updated.
The Maine Wire reported in a post on X at 2:13 p.m. that LePage had won. The post did not say who, if anyone, had called the race.
Lincoln-area towns
These are unofficial results reported to Lincoln Town Square by each town clerk.
| Town | Dunlap | LePage |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington (incl. T3 ND) | 67 | 156 |
| Edinburg (incl. Argyle Twp.) | 38 | 56 |
| Enfield | 256 | 485 |
| Howland | 183 | 350 |
| Lagrange | 76 | 182 |
| Lincoln | 804 | 1,511 |
| Lowell | 76 | 175 |
| Passadumkeag | 55 | 130 |
| Seboeis Plt. | 12 | 12 |
| Winn | 61 | 119 |
All towns in our coverage area have now reported to Lincoln Town Square. See unofficial town-by-town results for the Lincoln area.
Ranked-choice voting
Ranked-choice voting applies to U.S. House general elections with more than two candidates, according to the Maine Secretary of State. This race qualifies because Gregory A. Ward of Limestone is a declared write-in candidate.
Under state law, a candidate wins outright only with more than 50% of all ballots cast for the office, including blank ballots and overvotes. If no one reaches that mark, ranked-choice rounds follow.
In a ranked-choice count, ballots and memory devices are brought to Augusta, where Secretary of State staff tabulate them in public. A statewide count takes about one and a half to two weeks, and results are certified within 20 days, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
The Maine Morning Star reported that a ranked-choice runoff appears likely, and that Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said last month she thought one was likely.
Recounts
Under state law, a candidate other than the apparent winner may ask the Secretary of State in writing for a recount within five business days after the election. In a ranked-choice race, the top three candidates in the next-to-last round may ask for one.
No deposit is required if the difference between the leading candidate and the candidate requesting the recount is 1% or less of the total votes cast, or not more than 1,000 votes, whichever is less. Otherwise, the deposit is $5,000 or 10% of the estimated cost of the first stage of the recount, whichever is greater. State Police collect the ballots, and the candidates’ representatives count them under the Secretary of State’s supervision. If ballots are still disputed after a recount and could change the result, the U.S. House decides them.
What the candidates said
Dunlap has not called LePage to concede, his campaign told WMTW. “No news yet, lots of votes to count,” the campaign said.
“I am declaring victory,” LePage said Wednesday afternoon at Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Bangor, WMTW reported.
This story will be updated as more results become available.
Sources
- LePage’s victory declaration, AP status, AP count and candidate statements: WMTW, updated 5:27 p.m. Nov. 4, 2026.
- AP precincts-reporting figure and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ comments on the count: Maine Public, Kevin Miller, published 5:27 p.m. Nov. 4, 2026.
- AP and Bangor Daily News/Decision Desk HQ percentages, and race status: Maine Morning Star, posted 2:12 p.m. Nov. 4, 2026.
- Districtwide totals: WABI-TV election results page, checked 6:05 p.m. Nov. 4, 2026.
- The Maine Wire, post on X, 2:13 p.m. Nov. 4, 2026.
- Ranked-choice voting: Maine Secretary of State; Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, Section 723-A; Maine Morning Star, Nov. 4, 2026.
- Recounts: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 21-A, Section 737-A.
- Declared write-in candidate: Maine Secretary of State, declared write-in list, updated Oct. 15, 2026.
- Lincoln-area towns: unofficial results emailed to Lincoln Town Square by the town clerks of Burlington, Edinburg, Enfield, Howland, Lagrange, Lincoln, Lowell, Passadumkeag, Seboeis Plantation and Winn, Nov. 3 and 4, 2026.