Overview
- The four-term Democrat disclosed his decision in a Bangor Daily News op-ed, which his campaign later confirmed to local media.
- Golden pointed to the record-length government shutdown and worsening congressional dysfunction as reasons for stepping away.
- He wrote that he was confident he could win another term yet now “dreads the prospect of winning,” and plans to focus on raising his young daughters with his wife, Izzy.
- His exit turns a Trump-leaning district into an open contest, positioning Democrat Matt Dunlap and Republican Paul LePage as early contenders.
- National campaign committees view the seat as a top 2026 target, a shift that could complicate Democrats’ path to a House majority.