Toss-up Maine House race moves to ranked-choice tabulation with Golden, Theriault separated by 1,414 votes

A toss-up Maine House race betwixt incumbent Democrat Rep. Jared Golden and his Republican challenger Austin Theriault is heading to a ranked-choice tabulation aft nary campaigner received much than 50% of the vote, officials say. 

The tightly contested contention successful Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is 1 of respective that volition determine whether Democrats support power of the House of Representatives oregon suffer it to Republicans, with President-elect Donald Trump gearing up to instrumentality to the White House successful January. Trump won the territory successful the statesmanlike race.

As of Friday morning, the balance of powerfulness successful the House is inactive undecided, with Republicans astatine 211 seats to Democrats astatine 199 seats. A full of 218 seats are needed for the majority.

With astir 98% of the ballot successful arsenic of Friday morning, Golden is starring Theriault by conscionable 1,414 votes, according to The Associated Press.  

The Democrat already declared triumph Wednesday implicit Theriault, who is simply a Maine authorities typical and erstwhile NASCAR driver, saying astatine the clip that helium was up by astir 3,000 votes with "very fewer outstanding ballots." 

REPUBLICANS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF HOUSE MAJORITY AS KEY RACES REMAIN TOO CLOSE TO CALL 

Maine Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, left, and Republican challenger Austin Theriault, a erstwhile NASCAR operator and existent authorities representative. (Graeme Sloan/Matt Sullivan/Bloomberg via Getty Images )

"Any viable way to a triumph for my hostile has closed, truthful I’m present to state victory," Golden told reporters. "Anyone who has observed this contention knows that this was my toughest predetermination yet. Across the country, nary Democrat has withstood stronger headwinds from the apical of the ticket, the pundits oregon the organized opposition." 

The Maine caput of authorities announced precocious past nighttime that the contention is present heading to a ranked-choice tabulation that volition statesman successful the state’s superior of Augusta adjacent week, WMTW reported. 

Both Golden and Theriault were moving for the House spot alongside write-in campaigner Diane Merenda. 

Because cipher reached a majority, second-choice votes from Merenda supporters and ballots that were submitted without a first-choice people volition beryllium redistributed among the candidates’ totals, according to WMTW. It besides reported that Theriault plans to petition a recount that would commencement aft the ranked-choice tabulation. 

HOUSE LEADERS MOVE QUICKLY TO CONSOLIDATE POWER IN SHOW OF CONFIDENCE FOR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY 

Fox News Power Rankings House table. (Fox News)

"The rules are clear: A ranked-choice run-off is required lone if nary campaigner receives much than 50 percent of first-choice votes. When the clerks reported returns connected Tuesday, Congressman Golden was the campaigner who received much than 50 percent of first-choice votes," Golden’s run told the station. "Voters person a close to spot elections decided some accurately and expediently. State Rep. Theriault has asserted his close to a recount by manus and Congressman Golden agrees to it. So let's conscionable bash it, alternatively than incur the delays and expenses of a ranked-choice run-off." 

Theriault wrote connected X that "This is the closest national oregon statewide contention successful modern Maine governmental history, truthful let’s enactment unneurotic to guarantee an close number and that the last effect reflects the volition of the people." 

"We were importantly outspent, but the closeness of our contention against a three-term incumbent is simply a testament to your hard enactment and committedness to improving our country," helium added. 

Austin Theriault, operator of the #51 Jacob Companies Chevrolet, looks connected during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 astatine Richmond Raceway connected Sept. 20, 2019 successful Richmond, Virginia. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

The Maine caput of state’s bureau did not instantly respond Friday to a petition for remark from Fox News Digital.