PORTLAND, Maine — It was another busy week in politics. From Austin Theriault's victory in the CD2 GOP primary to former president Trump's visit to Washington, and Supreme Court rulings, our analysts share their takes.
Theriault wins
A big win for Austin Theriault in the Second District Republican primary. Theriault garnered 67% of the vote over Michael Sobolewski's 33%. Theriault, a state lawmaker and NASCAR driver from the County has the backing of former President Donald Trump and the national party. He is hoping to take out Democratic incumbent Jared Golden. In his victory remarks, Theriault went after Golden for not showing "strong leadership."
BJ: "It's true that he's a nice guy and somebody who would be good to have a beer with. But I do think he's. But I do think that obviously Theriault has to make these arguments, but they're just not super legitimate with somebody like Jared Golden, who has traditionally taken on his own party and created frustration within his own party because of that. And I think that he does that because he is so clearly aligned with the voters in his district and puts that ahead of party. And so I just don't think it's a legitimate attack."
ZACH: "Ray, a really obvious factor here is age Republicans obviously not wanting to put someone older against Golden. Will that help or hurt here?"
RAY: "You know, I think Austin has a really good shot at taking this seat in a number of national ratings...that rate seats around the country have now put this in lean Republican, which is surprising. On the other hand, Donald Trump is running 15, 17 points ahead again in June, not in November, but in that district from polls that I've seen, the difference between Sobieski and Austin Theriault. Austin's a young guy. He called me before he actually announced and said, What do you think? And I said I think the fact that you're a NASCAR driver, that's big up in CD, two people will connect with that immediately. Mike Sobolewski again, we are two good guys running, but I think Austin was able to raise a lot of money. He got the Trump endorsement that matters up there. I think it's going to be a really great race. And if Donald Trump wins big up there, I believe Austin is going to win this race. I think Jared, he's right. He's a great guy. I don't know him that well. I knew him in the legislature and he came to my lobster rally two years ago and he he does think out of the box, but he's still a Democrat at heart. And a lot of the values up there just don't play."
Trump in Washington
In the race for the White House, former President Donald Trump was back on Capitol Hill this week for the first time since the January 6 riots. Trump met with congressional Republicans behind closed doors at the private Capitol Hill Club just blocks from the Capitol itself. The meeting was meant to get the party on the same page for its campaign messaging and legislative strategy in 2025.
ZACH: "BJ, was this just a show of strength here?"
BJ: "Well, I mean, look, he was just doing exactly what he's been doing on social. Just in person, telling congressional Republicans how to run the congressional branch. But what I will say is it's fascinating to me to watch many of these people wrap their arms around the former president. When on January 6, they were calling him, begging him to call the National Guard, and he refused to. These folks were scared for their lives when the rioters came in and the president wasn't willing to help them then. And now he's looking to them to help him now."
RAY: "Well, I think there's a lot of truth that's come out about January 6. It was a stain on our country. And I absolutely...people who did it should go to jail. But there's a lot of truth about January 6 that has come out recently. Nancy Pelosi was caught on camera admitting that she didn't have the National Guard there. But as far as the Republicans go, Trump doesn't actually need them. It's good to have them. As I said, the day he got convicted in court, the real verdict will be November 5th. I think what he's trying to do is to rally support, hopefully when the House and the Senate, and then accomplish the goals that he's stated. It was funny watching him and Mitch McConnell shake hands. I'm not a McConnell fan and it was funny watching Mitch kiss the ring. It really was, because he's an old warhorse. I guess he just decided that was the greater good. But it was really odd."
BJ: "I mean, let's remember, Trump has said that if he's reelected, he will pardon the January 6 rioters. And so I think it's an important contrast for voters to consider this November."
SCOTUS rulings
The Supreme Court weighed in on some big cases this week, striking down a ban on bump stocks, but protecting access to abortion medication.
ZACH: "Ray what's your reaction here?"
RAY: "Not surprising on the abortion pill, Griswold versus Connecticut, I think 68 pretty much settled this issue. It was a 9 to 0 decision. Not surprising. They overturned a Trump-era policy on the bump stocks. But the court came out and said the bump stock does not create a machine gun and if it doesn't, well, then it shouldn't be banned."
Zach: "BJ are you surprised by either of these rules?"
BJ: "Well, I think the abortion pill ruling was a welcome win from this court that is continually attacked reproductive rights and on the bump stock decision, that's not as shocking. But I think one thing that does...that is made clear from that decision is that there needs to be legislative action to address this policy. And the president can't just do it at the stroke of a pen."
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