Former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault, 29, is working for U.S. Congress as a Republican within the 2nd Congressional District. He filed paperwork on Monday to begin his entry into the primaries.
Theriault is presently a freshman state rep from Fort Kent, Maine. He might be a robust candidate, being a conservative who needs to handle points such because the border, inflation and defending small cities.
New England is often a extra liberal space, however the 2nd district has turn out to be extra conservative. President Trump received the district in 2020 and gained an electoral vote in Maine.
FORT KENT, Maine — NASCAR driver-turned-politician Austin Theriault introduced Monday that he’s coming into the Republican main looking for a possibility to problem Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in what is predicted to be one of many nation’s best 2024 Home races.
Theriault, who made his announcement on radio reveals, mentioned he’ll “are available in with hearth” to confront points like inflation, unlawful border crossings and dying small cities. “Common hardworking of us are getting held down by out-of-touch, out-of-state elites who’re clueless about how arduous it’s to make a residing in Maine,” he mentioned.
The 29-year-old freshman state lawmaker from Fort Kent formally filed his paperwork Monday, becoming a member of mortgage dealer Robert Cross, of Dedham and one other first-term lawmaker, Michael Soboleski, of Phillips, within the main contest.
Theriault could be a robust candidate to problem Golden in what is predicted to be some of the aggressive Home races nationally, mentioned Savannah Viar of Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee. Theriault has had conversations with Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the chair of NRCC, however the committee doesn’t become involved in primaries.
Theriault needs to unseat present Democrat Rep Jared Golden. That is thought-about to be one of many extra aggressive races within the upcoming elections. Golden has received the previous three elections, defeating former Republican Rep Bruce Poliquin twice.
He additionally posted a video on X (Twitter) thanking individuals for the optimistic response for launching his marketing campaign.
At this time I introduced that I’m working for Congress in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.
The response has been excellent and I actually recognize the assist.
To affix the workforce, head to https://t.co/sWccdpPwhW! #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/TBNib16FyM
— Austin Theriault (@AustinTheriault) September 25, 2023
Theriault isn’t the one race automobile driver to enter politics. Republican Governor Phil Scott of Vermont additionally was a race automobile driver however didn’t have the identical degree of success as Theriault.
Theriault began out as an area driver, then progressed to NASCAR’s high degree. He was injured in a crash at Talladega Speedway in Alabama in 2019, which prompted him to cease racing. He nonetheless mentors and consults with drivers.
