A Maine Democrat is taking over certainly one of his personal.
On Monday, Maine State Auditor Matthew Dunlap introduced he’s difficult Rep. Jared Golden in subsequent yr’s Democratic main—a uncommon transfer that checks simply how a lot urge for food the get together has for a more durable edge inside one of many nation’s best Home districts.
Golden, in his fourth time period of representing Maine’s rural 2nd District, was the lone Home Democrat to again the Republican-led funding bundle forward of the GOP’s authorities shutdown. In an interview with The Washington Submit, Dunlap mentioned that the vote was the ultimate straw, accusing Golden of siding with Republicans too typically and promising to “take a more durable line” in opposition to President Donald Trump.
“What folks actually need is somebody who’s going to battle for them for the issues they care about,” Dunlap instructed the Submit, pointing to well being care and the price of dwelling.
His bid units up a high-profile, high-risk showdown in a Trump-friendly district that Democrats should maintain to have any hope of flipping the Home. Golden eked out reelection in 2024 by fewer than 3,000 votes, whilst Trump carried the district by over 9 proportion factors.
The race additionally captures a deeper rigidity throughout the Democratic Social gathering because it rebuilds after 2024—how aggressively to confront Trump, and the way a lot room to provide moderates like Golden who’ve strayed from the get together line in powerful districts.
Golden’s model has lengthy been that of an independent-minded Democrat. He’s damaged with the get together on main votes—from pandemic reduction to social spending—and has brazenly criticized what he calls “far-left” theatrics in Washington. Defending his vote for the GOP funding invoice, Golden mentioned the shutdown is “the results of hardball politics pushed by the calls for far-left teams are making for Democratic Social gathering leaders to placed on a present of their opposition to President Trump.”
However Dunlap says that independence has gone too far. Talking with CNN, Dunlap pointed to Golden’s vote for the Republican-backed SAVE Act, which might require proof of citizenship to vote, calling it “simply inexplicable to me.”
“I really feel like now we have the most effective election methods within the nation,” Dunlap mentioned. “It wasn’t a tipping level, however it was a weathervane—it instructed me the place individuals are.”
Golden fired again quick.
“If Matt Dunlap thinks this district will select him over Paul LePage, he’s bought one other factor coming,” he instructed the Submit. LePage, the previous governor and Trump ally, is the probably GOP nominee.
Dunlap disregarded that assault, telling CNN that Democrats are “very, very disenchanted with Jared” and that Golden overplays how arduous the district is to win.
“It’s not a hostile wilderness,” Dunlap mentioned. “These are my neighbors and pals. I do know them effectively, and I really feel welcome in each neighborhood within the state.”
Dunlap’s resume provides him credibility: He’s a fixture in Maine politics, having served within the state Home within the Nineteen Nineties, as secretary of state in two separate stretches, and now as state auditor.
Nonetheless, his problem worries nationwide Democrats. Given the district’s rightward leanings, a bitter main might hand the seat to Republicans. The Submit studies that the Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee has warned each Dunlap and Maine Democrats that if Golden is not the nominee, nationwide funding for the race might dry up.
Inner polling underscores these fears: Golden’s marketing campaign discovered him main LePage by a single level in a hypothetical matchup, whereas Dunlap trailed by 10 factors. A Republican tremendous PAC’s personal survey had Golden down 5 factors—an indication of simply how fragile the seat may very well be.
Nonetheless, Dunlap insists he can win in November.
“My complete life’s been within the 2nd District,” he instructed the Submit. “There’s not a city right here the place I don’t really feel welcome. And I actually perceive folks’s frustration, why they’ve been voting the best way they’ve. I perceive why folks voted for Donald Trump.”
He’s not new to Trump-world battles, both. Throughout Trump’s first time period, Dunlap served on the president’s short-lived voter-fraud fee and later sued it for withholding paperwork—a case he received earlier than Trump disbanded the panel totally.
Whereas Dunlap guarantees to battle more durable in opposition to Trump, he’s additionally no recent face. That’s one thing Golden wasted no time seizing on, calling Dunlap “a 30-year get together crony.”
Dunlap, nevertheless, countered that have is an asset, not a legal responsibility.
He mentioned he understands that voters typically need a “new face” however that “expertise does matter, and having a popularity issues simply as a lot.”
Republicans, in the meantime, are more than pleased to observe the 2 Democrats spar. The Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee cheered Dunlap’s entry, saying his marketing campaign exhibits Golden “has bought to go, and even Democrats comprehend it.”
Republicans could relish the chaos, however even some Democrats who bristle at Golden’s independence admit he’s one of many few who can maintain the seat. In a district that’s backed Trump a number of occasions, survival typically means moderation—and with out Golden, Democrats danger shedding extra than simply one other race.
