Angus King’s challengers are clamoring for attention, but history is working against them August 13, 2018Daily Brief, Elections, Legislature, U.S. CongressAngus King, Bethany Hamm, Brett Kavanaugh, Dillon Bates, donald trump, Eric Brakey, Margaret Chase Smith, Richard Nixon, Ricker Hamilton, Susan Collins, Walter McKee, William Hathaway, Zak Ringelstein By Michael Shepherd Republican Eric Brakey and Democrat Zak Ringelstein debated without the incumbent on Thursday, but they face an uphill challenge given the senator’s popularity and Maine’s history.