Crossword Genius

Around US state, Marxist stayed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

remained

'stayed' is the definition.
('remain' can be a synonym of 'stay')

'around us state marxist' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'us state' becomes 'maine' (I've seen this before).
'marxist' becomes 'red' ('red' can be a synonym of 'marxist').
'maine' going inside 'red' is 'REMAINED'.

(Other definitions for remained that I've seen before include "Was left" , "Stayed put as I meander" , "didn't move" , "Stayed behind" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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