BANGOR — After a bruising primary battle for Maine’s Second Congressional District seat, Republicans promoted party unity Friday as they look to reclaim the vast, rural district and maintain control of the governor’s office this November.
US Senator Susan Collins said Republicans must rally behind their common desires to create jobs and improve the economy and emphasized that there is room for those with differing views in the party.
‘‘What unites all of us is a commitment to growing more jobs, to make sure that Maine people have the opportunities that they deserve and that they want,’’ she said at an event in Bangor. ‘‘We need to put every Mainer back to work.’’
Maine’s Second District seat has been filled by Democrats for nearly two decades, but Republicans see US Representative Mike Michaud’s departure as an opportunity to double the number of Republicans in the congressional delegation, to two. Michaud is leaving Congress to challenge Governor Paul LePage, a Republican.
‘‘Senator Collins needs help,’’ LePage said.
During the often-combative primary for the seat, Kevin Raye — a former chief of staff to US Senator Olympia Snowe, a moderate — framed himself as the establishment candidate and a consensus builder.