AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Republican voters on Tuesday picked Kevin Raye, the state Senate president, to face incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud in the 2nd District House race in November.

Early unofficial results showed Raye of Perry, a familiar figure in the state’s political scene, defeating primary challenger Blaine Richardson of Belfast, a 30-year Navy veteran.

Raye’s victory sets up a 2nd District rematch between him and Michaud, who narrowly won in 2002 and has held the House seat since. Raye’s campaign had no immediate comment.

In the state’s other GOP U.S. House primary, Jonathan Courtney of Springvale, a business owner finishing a term as Maine Senate majority leader, faced Patrick Calder, a merchant mariner from Portland, in the 1st District.

The winner will face Democratic U.S. Rep Chellie Pingree, who is completing her second term in Congress and was unopposed in Tuesday’s primary.

Raye and Courtney are both well-established in the GOP and have outspent their lesser-known rivals.

Courtney went to work right after high school and now is an owner of a dry-cleaning business in Kennebunk. He’s served one term in the Maine House and four in the Senate. Calder came into the race with no political experience.

Raye has cast himself as a leader who can deal successfully with both political parties.

In addition to his eight years in the State House, Raye spent 17 years as a top aide to U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine.

Richardson, who counted on support from the conservative political movement, had relatively little public exposure entering the race. He has served three decades in active Navy duty and as a reservist and runs a small construction business.

Michaud, who had a two-decade legislative career, is seeking his sixth consecutive U.S. House term. While in Congress, he has emphasized his support for veterans’ issues and opposed trade policies he believes hurt traditional Maine industries. He was also unopposed Tuesday in his party’s primary.

Asked if a political shift to the right in Maine will hurt Michaud’s chances in November, campaign spokesman Greg Olson said political swings are less important than contact with voters.

“We take every election seriously. I think Mike more than most comes home every weekend and every recess to make sure he has a pulse on the district,” Olson said.

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