Posted on 10/06/2025 9:27:53 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Maine Rep. Jared Golden, the only Democrat in the House to vote for the Republican-led government funding bill, drew a primary challenger Monday who accused him of consistently siding with the GOP over his own party.
State Auditor Matthew Dunlap’s bid sets the stage for a high-profile showdown in a district Democrats will likely need to hold to regain control of the US House. Golden represents one of the country’s most competitive districts, winning his 2024 race by less than a percentage point while President Donald Trump carried it by roughly 10 points.
Dunlap told CNN ahead of his announcement that Democrats are “very, very disenchanted with Jared,” and that Golden overplays the difficulty of winning the district.
“It’s not a hostile wilderness. These are my neighbors and friends. I know them well, and I feel welcome in every community in the state,” Dunlap said.
In a statement, Golden said he represents a district that is “fiercely independent.”
“It’s one of the most ideologically diverse districts in the country, and deserves someone who represents it as it is,” he said.
Golden broke ranks to vote with Republicans last month on a funding bill to avert a government shutdown, which was blocked by Senate Democrats.
Defending the vote in a statement, Golden said that the shutdown “is the result of hardball politics driven by the demands far-left groups are making for Democratic Party leaders to put on a show of their opposition to President Trump.”
It’s one of several instances of Golden crossing party lines throughout his career, frustrating some Democrats even as he has burnished an independent reputation.
Dunlap pointed to Golden’s support this year for the SAVE Act – GOP legislation that would have required proof of citizenship to vote – saying that it was “just inexplicable to me.”
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
That didn’t take long.................
He is not “siding” with the Republican party; he is siding with the United States of America.
“He is not “siding” with the Republican party; he is siding with the United States of America.”
Democrats are anti-American.
He’s siding with himself.
Golden got “elected” in 2018 because of Rank Choice Voting....he received 2,200 FEWER votes than the GOP incumbent.
The Republican who will be running against Golden in the November 2026 Maine 2nd District House race is former Maine governor Paul LePage, a conservative.
The 2nd district was carried by Trump by 10 points in 2016, 2020 and 2024 earning him one electoral vote each time.
LePage is ahead in the polls to win the House seat next year.
Requiring proof of citizenship to vote is inexplicable????
A new ‘Profile in Courage’.
This is a win whichever way it goes.
This is why this shutdown has legs.
Unlike the GOP, who does not primary challenge Lindsey Graham types, the Dem base WILL primary challenge people who don’t toe the line.
Democrats who might lead an effort to bend the knee can’t do that. They will be primaried, and they know that. We never have anyone try to force Graham out.
The SC state GOP organizes to prevent that! Why? I imagine too much money flows to state GOP grandees through Lady Lindsey’s hands due to his seniority. Why would they ever want to give that up!
Maine’s Sen King was one of only 3 Dem Senators to vote for the budget bill. Maine is a strange state. This bodes well for the Republican Senator in Maine.
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