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6d ago

Rep. Jared Golden Won’t Seek Reelection, Putting Maine’s 2nd District in Play for 2026

He says escalating threats to his family made continued service in a dysfunctional Congress not worth it.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, attends a news conference to oppose a "union-busting executive order by President Donald Trump," that eliminated collective bargaining rights for federal workers, in the Capitol Visitor Center on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
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Jared Golden on Nov. 03, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, at the Capitol on July 17, 2025.

Overview

  • Golden announced his decision in a Bangor Daily News op-ed, saying he does not fear losing but now dreads the prospect of winning given Congress’s gridlock.
  • Inside Elections shifted the race rating from Tilt Democratic to Likely Republican after the announcement in the Trump-leaning district.
  • National Republicans declared the seat a top flip opportunity, while the DCCC praised Golden’s service and vowed to invest to keep the district.
  • State Auditor Matthew Dunlap remains in the Democratic field and former Gov. Paul LePage is running for Republicans, with both reaffirming their campaigns.
  • Golden narrowly won reelection in 2024 under ranked-choice voting while Trump carried the district by about 9 points, underscoring the challenge for Democrats without an incumbent.