Maine’s auditor is launching a progressive challenge to Rep. Jared Golden (D), a moderate who is seeking reelection in a critical battleground district.
Matthew Dunlap, the state auditor who formerly served as Maine’s secretary of state, announced on Monday that he plans to primary Golden, who was the only House Democrat to vote for the Republican stopgap bill ahead of the ongoing government shutdown.
Former Gov. Paul LePage is the leading contender for the Republican party’s nomination, promising a tough fight for whoever emerges from the Democratic primary. A poll in May from a GOP super PAC showed LePage with a slight lead over Golden.
Golden eked out a win in the 2024 election, earning his fourth term in the House. His district, which covers much of rural north and central Maine, is far more conservative than the southern district, which is represented by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D). President Trump carried Golden’s district by 9 points last year.
Golden has regularly voted against his party in the House. In a campaign video posted on YouTube, Dunlap took digs at Golden for being one of two House Democrats to vote against a 2021 stimulus package during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We can do better than bad and worse,” Dunlap said in his campaign video, referring to Golden and LePage.
Dunlap is promising to push for universal child care, livable wages and affordable housing.
The Maine district will be among the most watched in the midterms as Republicans hope to protect their slim majority in the House.
Golden accused Dunlap of attempting a cynical reinvention with his challenge.
“If Matt Dunlap thinks this district will choose him over Paul LePage, he’s got another thing coming,” the incumbent said in a statement. “A 30-year party crony like Matt Dunlap won’t cut it — the last time Matt held elected office he was a pro-life Democrat at a time when that unfortunately wasn’t unusual. Watching Dunlap try to recreate himself as a progressive would be amusing if it were not so cynical.”
Dunlap previously served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives and had an unsuccessful Senate run in 2012.