BREAKING: Conservative LePage Wins Maine Governorship

Guy Benson | November 03, 2010 11:37 AM

A nice pick-up for the GOP, and a very satisfying piece of news for conservatives. In terms of fearless, unapologetic conservatism, Paul LePage makes Chris Christie look like a shrinking violet. Congratulations,

Governor-Elect LePage:

The Bangor Daily News is projecting that Republican Paul LePage will be the next governor of Maine, holding a 7,500 vote lead over independent candidate Eliot Cutler with just a few precincts yet to report in what turned out to be a nail-biting battle for the Blaine House. Cutler called LePage to concede the race around 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to Cutler Campaign Manager Ted O’Meara.

As of 11 a.m., only a few precincts, including LePage’s hometown of Waterville, had yet to report their unofficial results to the Bangor Daily News, which on election night tabulates the numbers for the state. According to the unofficial results, LePage had 38.1 percent of the vote compared with Cutler’s 36.7 percent with 94 percent of precincts reporting.

For more about LePage's extraordinary life story and robust brand of conservatism, read my post on his candidacy from early September. Another note: This marks the GOP's eleventh gubernatorial pick-up in 2010, with a few more potential gains still on the table (IL, OR, CT).