MAINE, USA — Democrat Joe Biden has won the key state of Pennsylvania, according to NBC and the Associated Press, surpassing the 270 electoral vote threshold to take the White House and become the 46th president of the United States.
With both the Associated Press and NBC making the call for former Vice President Joe Biden, Maine politicians are starting to react.
Sen. Angus King
Maine Senator Angus King, who endorsed Joe Biden for the office, spoke to NEWS CENTER Maine Saturday morning.
"I want to congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. Winning the most votes of any candidate in US history, their victory is a triumph for democracy and decency," King said.
"Their margin was decisive in our great state of Maine, too, as Mainers made clear their desire for empathy, dignity, and urgent solutions. I know that President-elect Biden cares deeply about the priorities that matter most to Americans. I look forward to working with his administration on a host of pressing issues, including bringing direct relief to our communities, jump-starting our economy, centering science in the fight against COVID-19, and the climate crisis, improving our health care system, and making our food system more sustainable. America has turned the page on the last four years. It's time for new leadership to face our greatest challenges, and it's on us to deliver. I cannot wait to get started."
Sen. Susan Collins
Maine's senior senator, Republican Susan Collins, congratulated Biden while also emphasizing the importance of respecting the election process. Collins, who was endorsed in her re-election bid by President Trump, said, "There is a process in place to challenge those results and, consistent with that process, the President should be afforded the opportunity to do so."
“First, I would offer my congratulations to President-elect Biden on his apparent victory – he loves this country, and I wish him every success," Collins said in a statement Monday. "Presidential transitions are important, and the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect should be given every opportunity to ensure that they are ready to govern on January 20th."
“I understand that the President and others have questions about the results in certain states. There is a process in place to challenge those results and, consistent with that process, the President should be afforded the opportunity to do so. I know that many are eager to have certainty right now. While we have a clear direction, we should continue to respect that process. I urge people to be patient. The process has not failed our country in more than 200 years, and it is not going to fail our country this year.”
Rep. Chellie Pingree
“I want to congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. Winning the most votes of any candidates in U.S. history, their victory is a triumph for democracy and decency.
Their margin was decisive in our great state of Maine, too, as Mainers made clear their desire for empathy, dignity, and urgent solutions. I know that President-elect Biden cares deeply about the priorities that matter most to Americans.
I look forward to working with his administration on a host of pressing issues, including bringing direct relief to our communities, jump-starting our economy, centering science in the fight against COVID-19 and the climate crisis, improving our health care system, and making our food system more sustainable.
America has turned the page on the last four years. It’s time for new leadership to face our greatest challenges and it’s on us to deliver. I cannot wait to get started.”
Maine Gov. Janet Mills
"I congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on their historic victory, and I look forward to working with their Administration to improve the lives of Maine people. There are challenging times ahead for our state and nation as we continue to battle this deadly pandemic, keep people healthy and alive, chart a course for economic recovery, and begin to heal the divisions in our nation.
But I am confident that the President-elect and Vice President-elect will be partners in these efforts and champions for all Maine people in the White House. As we look forward during these trying times, let us remember that we are not simply Republicans or Democrats or Greens or Independents; we are Americans, united by our sacred freedoms and liberties and bonded by the desire to craft a more perfect union for our children and grandchildren.
It is difficult but worthwhile work. Let us get to doing it.”
Celebration Downtown Portland
Rep. Jared Golden
Rep. Jared Golden stopped short of issuing congratulations to Joe Biden, saying, “Vice President Biden has now locked in enough Electoral College votes to be projected as the president-elect, and he may be on track to secure more than 300 votes by the end of this process. That said, ballot counting continues in several states, and I believe that every vote cast in accordance to our laws should be counted. The president has the right to request recounts or to challenge the results in the courts, but any efforts will be unlikely to change that outcome.”
Maine Democratic Party
“The American people have spoken––Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be the next president and vice president of the United States. Joe understands the issues facing Maine families and we are confident that he will fight for us––whether it’s building on the Affordable Care Act to make sure that everyone has access to affordable health care or implementing a national strategy to contain COVID-19 and build our country back better than before.
With their ballots, a majority of Mainers rejected Trump’s failed leadership and voted to return unity, stability, and strength to the White House.”
New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan
"I want to offer a big congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their historic election. I also want to note how fitting it is that 100 years after women won the fight for suffrage, we finally have a woman Vice President of the United States of America.
We have a lot of work ahead of us to contain this pandemic, get our economy back on the right track, and build back better. The challenges ahead of us are substantial, and I know that President Biden will work hard to unite our country as we confront these challenges and more. I look forward to working with the new administration and members of both parties to forge bipartisan common ground and get results for our state and country."
NEWS CENTER Maine will update this story