House Speaker Mike Johnson Campaigns for LePage in Bangor

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned in Bangor on Oct. 14 for Republican congressional candidate Paul LePage, telling a few dozen people at Sea Dog Brewing Co. that he expects Republicans to hold their House majority in the Nov. 3 election, The Associated Press reported in an article carried by The Boston Globe.

Johnson said he disagrees with polling that points to Republican losses. "I'm telling you, we're going to surprise them," he said, while acknowledging that the party controlling the White House rarely wins midterm elections and that turnout will decide the race.

The stop was part of an October campaign schedule that Johnson said will take him to more than 20 states and 40 districts. Republicans have been defending seats as voters weigh gas prices, President Donald Trump's tariffs and the war against Iran.

LePage, a two-term former governor, faces Democratic state auditor Matt Dunlap for the open 2nd District seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Jared Golden, a leader of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition. The district, which covers much of rural northern Maine, is one of the few Trump-won districts held by a Democrat. The two candidates were scheduled to debate during the week of Oct. 12.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, the main House Republican super PAC, canceled spending in four races, including in Iowa and New Jersey, and shifted money to districts from Texas to Pennsylvania.

This story was first reported by The Boston Globe.