PORTLAND, Maine — Ronald Russell beat out Andrew Piantidosi to win Tuesday's Republican primary to challenge incumbent Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree in Maine's 1st Congressional District in November.
Russell led Piantidosi with 56 percent of votes as of early Wednesday morning, with 94 percent of votes counted.
Russell, a Kennebunkport resident, is new to politics. He spent 30 years in the U.S. Army before becoming a business owner.
He said he would lower taxes and work toward limiting the rules and regulations on small businesses, adding he plans to spend the next several months learning about the issues that matter most to the people in his district.
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"As I've said before, the title of the job is representative," Russell told NEWS CENTER Maine Tuesday night. "That's representative for all the constituents in Congressional District 1. So I need to know how they all feel, and I want to go out and find that out."
To watch 207's full interview with Russell prior to Tuesday's primary, click here. Topics include whether individuals with mental illness should have access to firearms, how to tackle affordable housing, and what can be done to combat climate change and its impact on Maine's coast.
Piantidosi, who's from Cape Elizabeth, said he's proud of his campaign.
"I always thought it would be a close race, and that's the beauty of the electoral process is that you never know what you're going to get. And you get out what you put in," he said. "I think both camps have put in a great effort."
Russell will challenge Pingree this November. She was first elected to Congress in 2008 and has represented Maine's 1st Congressional District ever since.