Democrat Emily Cain will seek a rematch with Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) in 2016.
“As of this morning, we’re up and running,” Cain wrote on her Facebook page. “I couldn’t be more humbled by the support and encouragement to run from Mainers across the District. Most importantly, we need a voice in Congress who will bring everyone to the table and stand up for what matters most to Maine’s working families #readyfor2016.”
The Kennebec Journal in Maine first reported the news.
{mosads}In 2014, Cain was the top Democratic recruit to replace former Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine), who left the House after six terms to launch an unsuccessful bid for governor against incumbent Republican Paul LePage.
But outside groups flooded the race, turning it into one of the most expensive in Maine’s history. Cain fell to Poliquin, a former investment banker, in what turned out to be a wave election for the GOP.
Democrats have since been pushing Cain to run again. They think she’ll fare better in a presidential election year, when they believe they’ll have better turnout and will face a more favorable electorate.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already targeted Poliquin, a House freshman, as one of 15 new GOP lawmakers it hopes to send packing after one term.
Poliquin’s political adviser, Brent Littlefield, blasted Cain’s early entrance into the race.
“With this early announcement it is clear Cain’s Washington advisors are quite desperate to tap into her donors,” he said. “They should hold onto their purses and wallets. Maine people just rejected Cain’s negative, attack-based campaign a few months ago.”
“Maine’s working moms and dads have a Congressman, and a father in Bruce Poliquin, who cares about their families’ future,” Littlefield continued. “With his actions Congressman Bruce Poliquin has shown he is rejecting politics as usual to stand up for sportsmen, job creators, veterans, and Maine families.”