Former GOP governor heads to Capitol Hill before election count is complete: ‘Already at work’

Former Republican Maine governor Paul LePage travelled to Washington after declaring victory in the race for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, although its ranked-choice count had not finished. His Democratic opponent, Matt Dunlap, conceded, but the result could still affect the count; LePage’s apparent win would be the only Republican gain from Democrats in a House seat that had not been redrawn.

LePage led Dunlap by more than 5,000 votes but received 49.894% of ballots, short of a majority, so ranked-choice counting began on Monday. LePage’s campaign called the process “perfunctory” and said it was confident in the outcome. He was also expected to join newly elected and returning Republican lawmakers in choosing between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan to lead House Republicans.