Democrat Jared Golden Won’t Seek Reelection in 2026

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, announced Wednesday he would not seek reelection ot the 2nd Congressional District seat he has held since 2019.

"I don’t fear losing. What has become apparent to me is that I now dread the prospect of winning," Golden wrote in an opinion piece in the Bangor Daily News. "Simply put, what I could accomplish in this increasingly unproductive Congress pales in comparison to what I could do in that time as a husband, a father, and a son."

Golden faced a primary challenge from former Maine Secretary of State and current State Auditor Matthew Dunlap, who announced his candidacy last month.

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Former Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage has announced his intention to seek the seat representing Maine's northern District.

Golden said he hoped his departure would generate new interest in the seat from a new generation of leaders.

"My sincere hope is that by creating an open seat, my departure makes space for a competitive primary for both Democrats and Republicans, as Paul LePage and Matt Dunlap are a far cry from being standard bearers of the generations that will inherit the legacy of today’s Congress," Golden continued.

Golden lives in Lewiston with his wife and two children. A former Marine, Golden serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

Maine's 2nd Congressional seat has been hotly contested in recent election cycles.

Republican campaign officials pounced on the announcement.

"Serial flip-flopper Jared Golden's exit from Congress says it all: He's turned his back on Mainers for years, and now his chickens are coming home to roost," NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole said in a statement. "He, nor any other Democrat, has a path to victory in ME-02, and Republicans will flip this seat red in 2026."