AUBURN – U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe easily won re-election Tuesday night against two little-known and underfunded challengers.

The Associated Press called the race for Snowe using exit poll data as soon as polls closed at 8 p.m.

The race was never in doubt. Democrat Jean Hay Bright and independent Bill Slavick were unable to move voters away from Snowe despite Maine’s Democratic tendencies and an election year that looked tough for Republicans in other states.

Snowe, who was seeking a third term, has consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most popular U.S. senators, notching approval ratings between 68 percent and 70 percent.

Snowe took a commanding lead in early results. With 4 percent of precincts reporting, Snowe was leading Hay Bright 59.7 percent to 26.6 percent. Slavick had 13.7 percent. Snowe overwhelmingly carried Lewiston, drawing 8,943 votes, compared to just 2,275 for Hay Bright and 629 for Slavick.

In her penultimate campaign stop, Snowe rallied with supporters in Auburn Tuesday afternoon. While not exactly a victory speech – there were still almost four hours of voting left – Snowe delivered a warm address to some of her key supporters.

“It’s great to be home where it all began,” she told the crowd gathered on the second floor of the Black Watch Pub in Auburn. “This is where I began my political journey, right here in Auburn.”

While stopping short of declaring victory – an honor she saved until results were tabulated – Snowe talked about her plans for a third term and her goals in the next Congress. “People want a centrist’s voice, and we need more centrists’ voices in Washington,” Snowe said. “I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the American people deserve better.”

Snowe then turned to the war in Iraq, the issue on which she was most strongly criticized by her two opponents.

“I believe this election will galvanize people in Washington to come together and develop a bipartisan plan,” she said. “It’s beyond question that we must get this right.”

Snowe also said that she would work to expand health care for all Americans and work to soothe the partisan rash that has blistered Washington’s political culture.

“I will be that senator who’s willing to speak my mind, to speak for Maine, to be that independent voice,” Snowe said.

After leaving Auburn, Snowe headed to Portland to watch results with supporters.

Earlier in the day, voters in Lewiston, a traditional Democratic stronghold talked about Snowe.

“I voted for Olympia Snowe, I really like her,” said Kathy Daniels of Lewiston. “She really is for the people. She’s not afraid to tell you why she does things.”

Sue Gagnon, also of Lewiston agreed: “I voted for the one who’s done the best over the last years: Snowe. I think she’s done a wonderful job. She speaks for the people of Maine.”

Despite Snowe’s popularity, the vote wasn’t unanimous.

Sam Boyer of Lewiston voted for Hay Bright, and against Snowe and President George Bush.

“If the Democrats take back the House and Senate, Bush becomes a lame duck president,” Boyer said.

This is Snowe’s first election since the death of her aunt, Mary Goranites, in September. Goranites, 92, was a pillar in the Twin Cities’ Greek community.

Goranites and her husband, James, raised Snowe and five children of her own. During her Auburn speech, Snowe paid special tribute to her.

“I know it’s a hard day,” Snowe said to her family, friends and political supporters. “This is my first election without my Aunt Mary at my side. She was a great inspiration. I couldn’t have done what we’re doing here today without Aunt Mary.”

Staff writer Bonnie Washuk and The Associated Press contributed to this report.