Vulnerable House Dem criticizes 'extreme' left in shocking 2026 announcement [Jared Golden (D-Maine)]

Fox News ^ | 11/5/25 | Elizabeth Elkind

[CFW]

A House Democrat representing a district that President Donald Trump won in 2024 is not seeking re-election next year.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, announced his plans in an op-ed for the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday, a day after Democrats' sweeping electoral victories in Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City.

"I have never loved politics. But I find purpose and meaning in service, and the Marine in me has been able to slog along through the many aspects of politics I dislike by focusing on the good work that Congress is capable of producing with patience and determination," Golden wrote.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Politics/Elections; US: Maine
KEYWORDS: democrat; elections; golden; maine

[CFW]

Hopefully, the GOP can find someone good to run for this seat.

[crusty old prospector]

Well, bye.

[cowboyusa]

Good start to 2026.

[lgjhn23]

He’s a “rank-choice voting” creature.....otherwise, he’d have never won that seat in the first place.

[Maine Mariner]

I believe Paul LePage, the former governor has announced his candidacy for CD-2 in Maine. I am concerned about his age
77, but will work to help him get elected.

[PermaRag]

Golden was as close to an actual “moderate” as the Dems had in Congress. Probably just a fake, but he was better at faking than the very few other Rats who need to pretend to be something other than a wacked-out liberal because they represent a more sane district than a typical Democrat. There are a tiny handful, but not many.

Most of us here are old enough to remember when there was such an animal (now extinct) as a “conservative Democrat”. Golden was nowhere near that level, but he was by far the best they had, as far as not being a complete nutjob like 98% of the rest of them.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Trump won Golden’s district more than once. We should have taken him out. LePage is the best we can get. Just do it. I’ll send him $100 AFTER he wins, not before. Should he lose it’s the Maine republicans fault. If he doesn’t need the money to pay off his debts I’ll give the money to someone else. Winsome Sears blew it. Who’s left?

[Maine Mariner]

President Trump won Maine’s CD-2 all three times I believe, in some cases by more than 10 points. There is a left-wing Demorat that was going to challenge Golden. I wonder if he will get the nomination?

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Golden was “elected” in 2018 by Rank Choice Voting.

He received 2,200 FEWER votes that the incumbent Republican, Bruce Poliquin. Lesser candidates, i.e., ringers, siphoned off enough votes enabling Golden to surpass the 50% plus one vote threshold in a computerized run-off.

Former Gov. LePage will run for the seat.

[SunkenCiv]

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