That doesn’t explain Maine or Alaska, Iowa or Utah, etc...where those RINO’s are from my friend.
You’re not on target with your analysis here. NY, NJ, Connecticut, MA, CA, etc...yes. But, the RINO’s like The Turtle, and Grahamnesty, etc...do not come from states with the issues you outline.
[That doesn’t explain Maine or Alaska,]
Maine is basically a blue state. Not as blue as NY or MA, but blue, nonetheless. LePage won twice because of a Democratic spoiler candidate. Collins has played Democrat in Republican skin in multiple cycles, while voting well to the right of the Democrats. The electorate has changed sufficiently and liberal voters are getting wise to her game such that she is getting too right-wing for Maine.