Potatoes and politics: Splitting the electoral votes

Other stories in this series:

A look at the candidates and issues in Northern Maine; Senate District 35; Senate District 34; Two College Republicans; Adam Cote spotting;  Splitting the electoral votes

With the state’s system of splitting the electoral votes, John McCain may have a fighting chance at winning the Second Congressional District, thus one of Maine’s electoral votes.

This system, used by only one other state, splits electoral votes by Congressional Districts. The two remaining votes will go to the state’s overall winner.

“Both parties are concerned,” said John Knutson, chairman of the Maine Democratic Party. “It’s a more conservative district than the first. We expect we will take it again, but we’ll have to be very diligent.”

Democrats have been winning the district regularly, but not by overwhelming margins, Knutson said.

State Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston said McCain has a shot in the second district.

“There’s a good chance his message will resonate and he will find ways to make his message spread,” she said. “It a message that is rational, and full of hope.”