AUGUSTA, Maine — National Democrats are working quickly to recruit a candidate to run in Maine’s 2nd District following U.S. Rep. Jared Golden’s stunning Wednesday decision to leave the 2026 race for the battleground seat.
The behind-the-scenes wrangling underscores the difficulty that the congressman’s party will have in replacing him in a rural district won three times by President-elect Donald Trump. Former Gov. Paul LePage is now the odds-on favorite to flip a seat that could be crucial to keeping the House in Republican hands come next year.
House Democrats’ campaign arm is “actively recruiting” a candidate for the seat, a person familiar with its plans said Thursday. That indicates a lack of confidence in State Auditor Matt Dunlap, who was running a primary against Golden and may have to contend with more candidates entering the fray.
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“Following the lead of insiders in Washington has taken us to minority status,” Dunlap said in a statement. “I think the people of Maine know what they want in a candidate. I believe I am that candidate, and I am going to win.”
One name to watch is former Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, who is running for governor with strong support from organized labor. His campaign released a noncommittal and cryptic statement on Thursday amid rumors that he was considering flipping races.
It will be an uphill battle for any Democrat getting into the 2nd District race. Trump pushed it firmly into the Republican column with his 2016 victory. Golden was able to eke out victories by appealing to a small segment of that party’s base, narrowly defeating former state Rep. Austin Theriault in a 2024 election that came down to military and overseas ballots.
LePage led Golden in two polls of the district conducted by the University of New Hampshire, including one last week. Golden used a Bangor Daily News Op-Ed to say he was confident that he would have beaten LePage but was pushed to drop out by increasing political incivility and cases of violence that led him to reassess threats against him and his family.
Republicans were giddy after he dropped out. LePage’s campaign shared the poll results to push the idea that Golden was hesitant to run against the former governor and dismissed the idea that there were any Democrats to fear in the 2nd District given LePage’s record there.
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“I don’t know that it really matters that the Democrats are fighting amongst themselves or have political operatives from D.C. trying to tell them who they should elect,” Brent Littlefield, LePage’s strategist, said.
Jackson released a statement on Thursday saying he was flattered by those reaching out to him about switching races, noting that he represented a Maine Senate district based in the St. John Valley that is socially conservative and has swung toward Republicans.
But he did not clearly answer a question about whether he was considering it. He also attacked LePage, with whom he shared a long history with in the State House. In 2013, LePage famously targeted Jackson with a crude remark during a dispute over budget issues, saying he “claims to be for the people but he’s the first one to give it to the people without providing Vaseline.”
“Paul LePage is a disgraced grifter from Florida who cares more about tax cuts for wealthy donors than fighting for hard working Mainers,” Jackson said.
Another possibility is Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation, who was on the verge of a Democratic U.S. Senate primary when he was arrested on a drunk-driving charge last May.
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“In the short time since Congressman Golden announced he is not running for re-election, [Francis] has been approached by numerous people encouraging him to run,” a person familiar with Francis’ decision-making process said Wednesday. “He will be discussing with his family, friends and supporters to determine if this is the right time for him to run for Congress.”
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.
Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”
“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.
Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.
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However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.
READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate
Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.
Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.
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“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.
Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
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On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.
Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.
Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.
Keon Johnson had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Maine Celtics defeated the Windy City Bulls 122-87 in an NBA G League game on Sunday afternoon at the Portland Expo.
Hason Ward scored 16 points and Jalen Bridges 14 for Maine (13-15), which had seven players score in double digits. Bridges drained four 3-pointers for the Celtics, who shot 13 for 28 (46.4%) from beyond the arc.
Max Shulga dished out 11 assists and scored nine points.
Maine led 33-18 after one quarter 72-36 at halftime.
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Keyshawn Bryant scored a game-high 25 points for Windy City (12-12).
