By Michael Shepherd - Sept. 6, 2023
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Meet the political newcomer best positioned to take on Maine's congressman in 2024. Last month, former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault was back in a long-distance competition at the Oxford 250 for the first time since a 2019 injury that led to his retirement. Now, the first-term Republican state representative from Fort Kent is gearing up for a very different race.

Theriault is set to announce a 2024 run against U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a third-term centrist Democrat from Maine's 2nd District. When he enters, he will effectively have the backing of House Republicans' campaign arm after chats with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California and Rep. Richard Hudson, R-North Carolina, who runs the National Republican Congressional Committee.

In a rare move that could influence a competitive primary, the group told the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday that Theriault "has the potential to be the best challenger" Golden has faced. Other Republicans are still considering runs, including fellow freshman state Rep. Mike Soboleski of Phillips, and conservative Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, while former Maine Senate candidate Robert Cross of Dedham is already in the race.

During his career so far, Golden, a 41-year-old Marine veteran, has been able to present contrasts with older challengers including former Rep. Bruce Poliquin. He was on the Republican ticket last year alongside former Gov. Paul LePage, another retread with baggage whom voters rejected.

Republicans may be learning a lesson here. At 29, Theriault is the kind of fresh face that the Maine party has lacked in recent years. He has a reputation outside politics and comes from the culturally important St. John Valley, giving him a different base of support than Golden, who lives in Lewiston and has done particularly well in western Maine since being elected in 2018.

Stock car racing is also a great bridge to the business world. Theriault's cars were often sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank, among other well-known Maine companies. He has connections that led him to be the second-most prolific private fundraiser in Maine House races last year, getting money from trucking companies, notable Republicans outside his district and allies in racing including the family of late Oxford Plains Speedway owner Bob Bahre.

Theriault has a lot to prove, but his 2022 performance was impressive. He beat for the right to succeed the legendary former House Speaker John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, winning 69 percent of votes. While his Democratic challenger was relatively weak, he outran Poliquin in his hometown by a whopping 600 votes, LePage by 350 and Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, by 265. All of those candidates also won Fort Kent.

On policy, Theriault is mostly a blank slate. During his campaign, he described himself as a moderate conservative. While he represents a staunchly Catholic region, he supported keeping Maine's permissive abortion laws in effect during the campaign. However, he gave an impassioned speech against a Democratic bill that will allow post-viability abortions that doctors deem necessary.

The backing of the national machine makes Theriault a formidable primary candidate. Beating Golden is going to be another challenge entirely. The Republican has a lot to prove, but the district has long been trending in the party's direction. It means the congressman is in for a big fight.