BANGOR — Republican Bruce Poliquin is projected by the Bangor Daily News to have defeated Democrat Emily Cain in the race to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Independent Blaine Richardson was a distant third.

Unofficial voting results showed Poliquin defeating Cain in eight counties in the district, including Penobscot County where Cain lives. Cain was ahead in Hancock, Franklin and Waldo counties.

All three candidates held their election parties in Bangor Tuesday night. Poliquin gathered with supporters at Dysart’s on Broadway.

“We’re tired, but we’re energized as you can see,” Poliquin said at about 9:30 p.m. “My hat goes off to my opponents in the race. Whoever wins this race has worked really really hard.”

At midnight, Poliquin’s supporters erupted in applause after WLBZ2 projected Gov. Paul LePage would win another term. Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, a staff member came out to inform the media that Poliquin wouldn’t be speaking again that night. Minutes later, Mike Michaud conceded and Gov. Paul LePage celebrated.

Cain was at the Hilton Garden Inn, where dozens of her supporters gathered to watch the results come in.

Cain spoke at midnight telling her supporters she was still optimistic about pulling out a win despite trailing by 3 percent in the voting consistently through the evening.

“I’m feeling really good about where we are,” Cain said, adding that it would be “a long night.”

“Voters are enthusiastic,” Amy Cookson, Cain’s press secretary, said earlier. “We had tremendous response at the polls for Emily.”

Richardson and his supporters watched results come in at Hero’s Sports Bar and Grill.

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