Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, ended his legal challenge to the state's ranked-choice voting system Monday, conceding the race for Maine's 2nd Congressional District to Democrat Jared Golden.
Poliquin, who lost his bid for re-election because Golden was more voters' second and third choice, filed a lawsuit after his opponent was declared the winner, but U.S. District Judge Lance Walker rejected the congressman's lawsuit, according to the Portland Press Herald.
He later went to a federal appeals court and asked them for an injunction to prevent Golden from being named the winner, but the court refused. Although he requested a recount from the Maine Secretary of State's Office, he ended it once it became clear the results would remain the same.
"Despite winning the largest number of votes on Election Day, I believe it's in the best interest of my constituents and all Maine citizens to close this confusing and unfair chapter of voting history by ending any further legal proceedings," Poliquin wrote in a statement on Twitter.
"Although we may disagree on the issues, I wish Jared Golden personally the best during the coming term," he added.
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