House Speaker Johnson Campaigns for LePage in Bangor

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned for Republican Paul LePage in Bangor on Oct. 14, telling a small crowd at Sea Dog Brewing Co. that he expects Republicans to hold their narrow House majority in the Nov. 3 elections, according to The Boston Globe, which published an Associated Press report.

Johnson said he disagrees with polling and the view that his party is headed for defeat. "I'm telling you, we're going to surprise them," he said to a few dozen diners. He acknowledged that the president's party rarely wins midterm elections and said turnout would decide the outcome.

The speaker is making campaign stops in more than 20 states and 40 districts during October. Maine's 2nd District, a sprawling, largely rural seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, is among the Republicans' better chances to flip a Democratic-held seat. LePage, a two-term former governor, faces Democratic state auditor Matt Dunlap, and the two were scheduled to debate during the week of Oct. 14.

The district has backed President Donald Trump in the past while electing Golden, a leader of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition. The Congressional Leadership Fund, the main House Republican super PAC aligned with Johnson, canceled spending in four House races, including in Iowa and New Jersey, and added money in races from Texas to Pennsylvania.

This story was first reported by The Boston Globe.