Former Mainer & Ex-Governor Paul LePage Is Running For Congress Against Right-Wing Dem Jared Golden

When Maine’s MAGA Democrat Jared Golden first ran for Congress in 2018 he was the state House Democratic whip and a progressive one at that. After being elected to Congress, he even went to the first Progressive Caucus meeting, although he left halfway through, never looked back and immediately joined the Blue Dogs. He represents a red district (R+4) that Trump won last year with 53.5%, a 2 point increase over his 2020 victory. Golden narrowly beat Republican Austin Theriault 50.3% to 49.7% (2,706 votes). 

Golden is one of Congress’ most conservative Democrats, number 210 out of 213 and there has been plenty of talk about him running for governor as an independent. This morning the news broke that Angus King III-- Senator King's son-- is running for governor as a Democrat. Yesterday, MAGA former governor Paul LePage announced he’s running for Golden’s seat. A current resident of Florida, the now 76 year old LePage was soundly defeated, 55.7 to 42.4% by current Governor Janet Mills in 2022.

Mills didn’t just defeat LePage in the progressive first district, she beat him in the more rural and more conservative second district as well. His Facebook message said “The sun rises first in the U.S. in Maine, in Washington County. Our nation starts every new day in Washington County. Today, I joined people in Eastport for breakfast and at the dock to talk about the need for a new voice in Washington, DC.  The entrenched interests are fighting President Trump at every turn as he works to fix problems. We need more straight talk to help take back Washington.  We need more real-world business experience, those who know how to create jobs. We need people who understand what it’s like to struggle, why inflation hurts. We need more leaders who know how to cut wasteful spending while improving programs. People with a proven history supporting our hospitals, critical to Maine seniors and families. We need leaders who know the 2nd Amendment is not just words on a paper. We need people who will fight the extreme woke policies that defy common sense and force girls into unfair sports competitions. We need people who have, and will, always protect Social Security and Medicare. That’s why I’m running for Congress. I do not need a job, I am running to protect our Maine jobs. I am running to serve the people of Maine and help the President fix Washington. We’ve had too many years of Washington, DC trying to control the people. It is time to put the people before politics.”

Maine’s Republican Party Chairman Jim Deyermond reminded the media that “There are more registered Republicans than Democrats now in Maine’s 2nd District, an advantage of almost 31,000 registered voters. Hundreds of volunteers have poured thousands of hours into helping President Trump win this District and they will now focus on ensuring he has a Republican ally representing this seat.”