(StraightNews.org) – Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has warmly endorsed a former NASCAR driver in a Maine Congressional contest. Austin Theriault has entered the race to unseat Democrat Rep. Jared Golden, and Scalise said he is “thrilled” to offer his support. Scalise described Mr. Theriault as a strong conservative from a French Catholic family who “understands rural America.”
Returning the compliment, Theriault, who currently sits in the Maine House, said Mr. Scalise has “demonstrated incredible courage and perseverance, as well as dedication to conservative values.”
Mr. Theriault entered the race last September and has spoken out against attempts to remove President Trump from the ballot in the Pine Tree State and strongly condemned pro-Hamas demonstrations in the wake of the terror attack on Israel last year. He has already won the endorsement of senior GOP figures including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republican Conference Chairwoman and New York Representative Elise Stefanik. He likewise has the support of several Republicans in his home state and claims to have raised half a million dollars in funding since launching his campaign.
On his website, he condemns leftist politicians and calls on Democrats to condemn pro-Palestinian protests in Portland, saying there is a growing trend in America of diminishing sympathy for Israel. Theriault lashed out at the Democratic Socialists of America, who organized the Portland demonstrations, and slammed Mr. Golden for failing to distance the Democrats from radical left-wing groups.
Born in Fort Kent in 1994, Theriault began his racing career at just 13, appearing at the Spud Speedway in Maine. He joined the ACT Late Model Tour full-time in 2010 and competed in the IWK 250 in 2013. Six years later, he made his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway but has not raced since 2019.
Mr. Theriault won a seat in the Maine House of Representatives in 2022, representing District One. He sits on the Leave of Absence Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Copyright 2024, StraightNews.org
