Political newcomer Ron Russell won Tuesday’s Republican primary in Maine’s 1st Congressional District and will move on to an underdog race in a heavily Democratic district against eight-term U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.
Russell, a 69-year-old from Kennebunkport who served 30 years in the Army before starting a company focused on operations and intelligence for the Defense Department, had 56.4 percent of votes to 43.6 percent for runner-up Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth when the Bangor Daily News and Decision Desk HQ, its election results partner, called the race at 10:56 p.m.
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Both of the candidates were little-known in political circles before running against Pingree. The entrenched Democrat has not been seriously challenged by Republicans since 2010, just two years after the congresswoman won the seat. In the 2022 election, she beat challenger Ed Thelander with 63 percent of votes.
Pingree is the most liberal member of Maine’s congressional delegation and is a reliable vote for House Democratic leaders. She sits on the House agriculture committee and runs an organic farm and boutique lodge on the island of North Haven.