Jared Golden says he wants to stay in Congress, won't run for governor
Golden, a Lewiston Democrat who has represented the district since 2019, may face a primary challenge from State Auditor Matthew Dunlap. Former Republican Gov. Paul LePage announced earlier this month that he is running for the seat.
Golden, 42, has been raising money for another reelection campaign for Congress, but has also been mentioned as a possible gubernatorial or U.S. Senate candidate.
"While I have considered many options for how best to continue serving the people of Maine, I have decided to run for re-election because the surest way to restore balance in Washington is for Democrats to win back the House of Representatives," Golden said in a statement. "While the election is still 18 months away and I remain focused on my responsibilities to my constituents and my family, I also know the path to the majority runs through Maine. And I am going to do what it takes to make sure no one like Paul LePage blusters his way into Congress."
Golden's voting records and public statements — including his willingness to work with President Donald Trump and his support tariffs — have angered some Maine Democrats who want to see him face a primary challenge.
But Golden also has had the support of the national party because of his ability to hold a seat in a district that has repeatedly backed Donald Trump.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was quick to back Golden after Dunlap said he was considering a primary challenge.
"Rep. Golden has proven he is uniquely-suited to win tough races, and the DCCC is proud to work to reelect him once again next November," DCCC Spokesperson Nebeyatt Betre said.
Jordan Kathleen Burns, Golden's campaign manager, said Golden is "a proven winner and the right choice to beat a candidate like Paul LePage and restore checks and balances in Congress."
"The stakes are clear: While the GOP in Congress is working overtime to take away Mainers' health care and further rig the tax code for the rich, Jared is standing up for our health care, workers' rights, reproductive freedom and Maine's heritage industries," Burns said in a statement.
Golden narrowly won reelection in 2024 against his Republican challenger, former state Rep. Austin Theriault.
Theriault endorsed LePage in a post on X, saying he considered another campaign but decided to sit it out to spare his party a primary contest.
"A crowded, divisive primary would only hurt our chances in November," he wrote. "I'll be supporting Governor LePage in his race for Congress, and I hope you'll join me,"
Maine's 2nd District has become a battleground in recent elections, as Trump has won one of the state's four electoral votes in the rural district composed of northern and western Maine in each of the last three presidential races.
Republicans have eyed the district as a seat to flip in 2026.
Golden, a centrist Democrat, said prior to last year's election that he was "OK" with Trump winning. Golden won his seat after a ranked choice runoff against Republican Austin Theriault, a first-term state lawmaker.
This story will be updated.
Copy the Story Link
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
a minute ago
- Fox News
GOP senator living in fear of being carjacked in DC: 'I don't buckle up'
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., sounds the alarm on homicides and car thefts in Washington, D.C. as Democrats downplay the violence following President Trump's crime crackdown.
Newsweek
a minute ago
- Newsweek
Are Gay Dating Apps Threatening To Expose Republicans? What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A social media post has gone viral after claiming that gay dating apps are threatening to out closeted Republican officials and members of Congress who have accounts on their platforms if the Supreme Court overturns its same-sex marriage ruling. Why It Matters The U.S. Supreme Court is facing a choice about whether to take a case filed by former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis that urges the court to overturn its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage nationwide. Members of the court, including Justice Clarence Thomas, have signaled an openness to revisiting the case as the court has shifted to the right—a change defined by its 2022 ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, which for decades guaranteed abortion rights. If the court overturns same-sex marriage nationwide, the issue would likely return to the states. A composite image shows same-sex marriage supporter Vin Testa waving an LGBTQIA pride flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2023, and the Grindr app in Apple's... A composite image shows same-sex marriage supporter Vin Testa waving an LGBTQIA pride flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2023, and the Grindr app in Apple's App Store on an iPhone 12 Pro Max in Berlin on January 26, 2021. More/Christoph Dernbach/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What To Know On X, the account @HalfwayPost wrote earlier this week, "BREAKING: Several gay dating apps are reportedly threatening that, if the Supreme Court bans gay marriage, they'll reveal all the closeted Republican officials and members of Congress who have accounts on their platforms." The post has been viewed more than 7 million times, with many social media users believing it to be a statement of fact. However, the account—run by comedian Dash MacIntyre and self-described as "comedy and satire"—says in its bio, "I don't report the facts, I improve them." This isn't the first time @HalfwayPost has gone viral over such a claim, and rumors about gay dating apps disclosing the identities of Republican officials on their platforms have circulated online for years—often in response to news that affects the LGBTQ+ community. In 2023, following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill, the claim circulated widely online. The dating app space is highly saturated, with a number of apps available to users across the sexuality spectrum. Newsweek spoke with Grindr, Feeld and Hornet, three of the most popular LGBTQ+ apps in the U.S. All three apps denied any threats to expose Republican politicians. "This claim is false," a spokesperson for Grindr told Newsweek. "At Grindr, we take our role as a connector for the queer community very seriously and are committed to upholding high standards of trust and user safety, protecting the privacy of all of our users." Feeld's press office shared a statement with Newsweek, which said in part: "Feeld is built on a commitment to our members' privacy and safety. We would never release members' data or information publicly without the appropriate consent being given." Christof Wittig, the founder and CEO of the dating app Hornet, told Newsweek: "We have never threatened to expose users' identities or personal information at Hornet. Privacy and safety are core to our mission, and we remain committed to protecting the trust of our community." Newsweek also spoke with experts about why such claims continue to resonate widely online. "Rumors like this gain traction because the LGBTQ community is deeply aware that some of their most vitriolic opponents are hypocrites in high places," Brett Krutzsch, a scholar of religion at the Center for Religion and Media at New York University and the editor of the Revealer, told Newsweek via email. "The LGBTQ community has a long history of debating the merits of outing conservatives against their will," Krutzsch said. "When facing the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning Obergefell, the idea of outing closeted Republicans taps into a form of queer power, even if it isn't coordinated by a dating app or if it doesn't produce the desired political result." Shaka McGlotten, a professor of media studies and anthropology at Purchase College, told Newsweek, "On one level, these viral revenge fantasies function as pressure valves, redirecting energy that could go toward organizing into liking, sharing, and commenting." McGlotten added: "Personally, though, this is what I think is actually happening: Republicans have exposed themselves by helping to build a political culture that weaponizes sexual identity and that thrives on using anxieties about sex and gender against minorities. When you participate in creating that, you shouldn't be surprised when it turns on you." What People Are Saying Grindr said in a statement shared with Newsweek: "It is our mission to support a world in which the lives of our users are free, equal, and just, and we condemn any attempts to undermine the rights of LGBTQ people." Feeld's press office said in a statement shared with Newsweek: "Our goal has always been to create safer, more inclusive spaces and to protect our community with the highest standards of trust and care." Christof Wittig, the founder and CEO of the dating app Hornet, told Newsweek: "While we vehemently oppose any and all efforts to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges—especially in a political climate already marred by anti-LGBTQ legislation—we do not condone such behavior, even in the name of advocacy." Sasha Costanza-Chock, a faculty associate at the Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, told Newsweek via email: "Satire has always been a valuable tool for oppressed communities to ridicule their oppressors. The widespread popularity of this satirical news headline reflects the massive disconnect between right-wing efforts to suppress the LGBTQI+ community and the reality that a wide majority of people now support LGBTQI+ rights. In particular, people are targeting the hypocrisy of closeted queer elected officials who do harm to their own communities." Shaka McGlotten, a professor of media studies and anthropology at Purchase College, told Newsweek via email: "The viral claim originated from a satirical account. It spreads because it offers the fantasy of revenge in a time when so many people feel powerless. Platforms like X amplify inflammatory content, and this story delivers a perfect mix of scandal and justice for engagement." What Happens Next Concerns about the Supreme Court overturning same-sex marriage are ongoing. It remains to be seen whether the court will decide to hear Davis' case.
Newsweek
29 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Taylor Swift's Popularity With Republicans Drops by Double-Digits: Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Republicans are the only political faction that view Taylor Swift in an unfavorable light, with the majority not finding her popular, according to new polling coinciding with the pop superstar's latest album release and a podcast appearance that drew millions of viewers in hours. Why It Matters Swift joined boyfriend Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on his New Heights podcast, co-hosted with his brother, Jason, to provide a rare glimpse into her personal life and how she and Travis originally became a couple. The appearance included unveiling her much-anticipated new album The Life of a Showgirl, in addition to discussing regaining the masters to her first six albums. Swift, whose Eras Tour last year set major records, including the first tour to exceed $1 billion (eventually surpassing $2 billion), has drawn attention from President Donald Trump himself. In May, the president took to his Truth Social platform to write the following: "Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'" Swift has been a source of ire for Trump and some Republicans, notably after she endorsed Democrats like former Vice President Kamala Harris in elections. Taylor Swift attends the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Taylor Swift attends the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, The Recording Academy What To Know A poll released Wednesday by Navigator Research shows every surveyed demographic except Republicans finding Swift in a favorable light. The survey of about 1,000 respondents, conducted between August 7-11, was synced with the announcement of Swift's 12th album. Here are the poll results by demographic, sorted in order by favorable, unfavorable and those who have no opinion: Overall: 50 percent / 36 percent / 14 percent College-educated: 57 percent / 32 percent / 11 percent Non-college educated: 46 percent / 39 percent / 15 percent Democrats: 68 percent / 19 percent / 14 percent Independents: 43 percent / 35 percent / 22 percent Republicans: 33 percent / 55 percent / 12 percent Also, while all factions increased their favorable views of Swift from August 2023 to the present—including +14 overall, +25 for college-educated men and women, and +49 for Democrats—Republicans' favorable views have cratered 22 percent in the past two years. The survey also shows a timeline of Swift's popularity in the public eye. She was viewed favorably by 58 percent of the public during the opening leg of the Eras Tour on August 1, 2023, and dropped 2 percent by the first time she attended the Super Bowl in February 2024 to support her boyfriend. After she endorsed Kamala Harris last August, Swift's popularity dipped to 51 percent. Swift's first eclipsed the billion-dollar net worth mark in October 2023. After Trump's comments in May saying he hates her, her net worth increased by $300 million. What People Are Saying Sabrina Carpenter wrote via her Instagram Stories: "THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL OCTOBER 3rd. i know someone who's freaking out and it's me." During an appearance on the Today show on Wednesday, Margaret Qualley—who is married to Swift's collaborator Jack Antonoff—addressed a question about her album: "I don't know anything, but we'll all be excited to listen to music." WNBA star Caitlin Clark, a well-known Swiftie, wrote on X: "Are we sure YouTube isn't going to crash tonight?" After New Heights did, in fact, encounter technical difficulties, Clark later remarked: "Swifties so powerful we broke the internet." Rapper Flavor Flav filled out a form originally posted to New Heights' X account that read: "To Whom It May Concern: Please excuse FLAVOR FLAV from any responsibilities on Wednesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM ET. Don't blame me, but Taylor Swift will be appearing on the New Heights podcast. When New Heights went on a break, I was feeling delicate. Taylor being on New Heights is beyond my wildest dreams. Will you please excuse my absence so I can be ready for it? We don't want any bad blood. (Like, ever)." What Happens Next The Life of a Showgirl is scheduled for release on October 3.
