One national Democratic organization has already attempted to dissuade Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap from running against U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in the Democratic primary next year, but Dunlap says he will make a decision after Labor Day.
Dunlap, the seven-term Secretary of State of Maine, originally hinted at his potential candidacy in May, but he has maintained a low profile ever since.
Dunlap claims he has been busy getting input for a potential run against Golden, who has won four elections in the Trump-friendly district but has also irritated some Democratic activists both locally and nationally.
Dunlap claims that most people have responded favorably to his potential candidacy. Since former Republican Governor Paul LePage is waiting to fight whatever Democratic primary voters select as their nominee next year, he claims he has also been informed by others that his primary challenge could threaten Democrats’ control on the 2nd District seat.
That was the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) statement, according to Dunlap. The group officially restated its support for Golden shortly after Dunlap declared he was considering a run, describing him as a tenacious upholder of Mainers ideals who is particularly qualified to prevail in difficult contests.
According to FEC records, the group spent about $4 million last year to help the Democrat win reelection.
Dunlap claims he received a call from an organization official telling him that running for office “wasn’t a good idea” and that it would make it more difficult for Democrats to hold onto a seat that might help decide which party has the majority during the 2026 midterm elections.
Dunlap is still investigating the bid in spite of that. He said that while he has heard similar worries from some Democrats, he has also heard from a large number of people who are “dissatisfied with the status quo and want to go in a different direction.”
“The 2nd Congressional District isn’t a hostile wilderness,” he stated. “I think any town in the district would welcome me. I know folks like them. They are both my neighbors and my pals. During my time as Secretary of State, as a state legislator, and as the director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, I collaborated with them. I am somewhat familiar with the area.
He anticipates making a choice between October 1 and Labor Day.
“Again, you got to weigh it all out very carefully, but so far I haven’t seen anything that points to me stepping on a banana peel,” he stated.
Golden has previously stated that Dunlap had “zero chance” of defeating LePage and a slim chance of defeating him the following year.
Golden was largely praised by Democrats as the answer to the Trump-friendly 2nd Congressional District when he first won the seat in 2018.
Before changing his stance to defend the continuation of commercial insurance plans, the Marine and combat veteran was unreservedly pro-abortion and in favor of universal Medicare. He became the first congressional candidate to win a ranked-choice election and the first challenger to upset an incumbent in the 2nd District in over a century by defeating Rep. Bruce Poliquin.
Dunlap, then the Secretary of State for Maine, called and oversaw the ranked-choice runoff.
Since then, Democratic activists have been incensed by some of Golden’s remarks and votes. A strong response that continues to emerge as the president tries to consolidate power and punish his political rivals was triggered by his piece last summer predicting President Donald Trump’s victory and saying he was okay with it.
Golden’s criticism of Trump, who has won the 2nd District three times in three presidential elections, has been mild, but he has criticized the president’s comprehensive policy bill that cuts funding for Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income Americans, and food assistance while extending tax cuts.
