Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) announced he would seek a fifth term in the House on Tuesday, ending speculation that he could run statewide instead.
Golden has held a battleground district won by President Donald Trump three times since he first flipped the seat in 2018 — making him a prime target for the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
“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 press release on Tuesday.
He was viewed as a potential statewide candidate in Maine. The state has an open governor’s race, and Democrats are again looking to target Republican Sen. Susan Collins — although Golden once worked for her, and many Democrats believed he ultimately wouldn’t challenge his former boss.
Golden’s announcement comes after Republican Paul LePage — who served as governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019 — entered the race earlier this month.
“I do not need a job, I am running to protect our Maine jobs,” LePage said in a statement on social media announcing his campaign. “I am running to serve the people of Maine and help the president fix Washington.”
Golden criticized LePage in his announcement, saying he was “going to do what it takes to make sure no one like Paul LePage blusters his way into Congress.”
Golden, who did not endorse former Vice President Kamala Harris for president last year, has faced backlash from Democrats for siding with Republicans at times on issues like gun control.
