The challenger for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District on Wednesday posted concession on Facebook.

In a brief message thanking his supporters, Republican Kevin Raye acknowledged defeat to Democratic incumbent Mike Michaud. 

Additional Photos

State Senate President Kevin Raye strolls a pier overlooking Cummings Cove on Passamaquoddy Bay during a recent tour of his native Eastport. The pier is home to Eastport Chowderhouse, where Raye worked as a server during his teen years. Raye, a Republican, is running against Democratic incumbent Mike Michaud for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maine's 2nd Congressional District. Staff photo by Ben McCanna

U.S. Representative Mike Michaud stands outside Great Northern Paper mill in East Millinocket earlier this month. Michaud, a five-term Democratic incumbent, is running on his support for U.S. manufacturing against Republican challenger Kevin Raye. Staff photo by Ben McCanna

By noon Wednesday, with 75 percent of precincts reporting, Michaud was the declared winner with 58 percent of the vote to Raye’s 42 percent.

“While the outcome of this election is not what we had hoped, I will always treasure the opportunity to run,” Raye wrote. “Likewise, I am forever grateful for the support that made it possible for me to serve the past eight years in the Maine Senate and the past two years as President of the Senate.”

At 11 p.m. Tuesday, Raye addressed a crowd of supporters in a Bangor hotel saying the returns were unfavorable, but he didn’t offer an outright concession until after midnight.

At about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Raye congratulated Michaud for his win during a phone conversation, according to Raye campaign manager Robert Caverly.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239
bmccanna@centralmaine.com