Though the Portland-based district had long favored Democratic candidates, Longley narrowly defeated Dutremble as part of the "Republican Revolution."

In his testimony he presented the concept of cutting taxes paid by minimum wage workers to provide a greater increase in their take home pay.

In the race labor unions and left leaning groups spent millions of dollars in a coordinated effort to defeat him.

Of course, smaller, but similar, sums were spent by business and professional organizations, and right-leaning special interest groups, in a coordinated effort to defend the seat.

He won the Republican primary against State Representative Henry L. Joy and faced incumbent Governor Angus King, an independent, in the general election, along with attorney Thomas J. Connolly, the Democratic nominee.