Matthew Dunlap is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in Maine to replace retiring Democratic Representative Jared Golden. Dunlap, currently serving as state auditor, will face former Maine Governor Paul LePage, a Republican, in November's general election.
District Dynamics
Maine's second district voted for President Donald Trump by a nine-point margin in 2024. One prominent analyst has noted that Golden's retirement gives Republicans a chance to capture the seat. The House race has received less attention than the Senate contest between Democrat Graham Platner and Republican Susan Collins, but holding Golden's seat could be key to Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives.
Primary Contest
National Democrats did not want Dunlap to win. They backed Joe Baldacci, a member of the Maine Senate, over Dunlap, Jordan Wood, and Paige Loud. Dunlap trailed Baldacci by about five percentage points in a recent poll. A shadowy super PAC aligned with Republicans spent $300,000 to boost Dunlap and oppose Baldacci in an apparent strategy to promote the candidate Republicans consider weaker against LePage.
Dunlap's Platform
Dunlap supports Medicare for All and has won an endorsement from Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a leading progressive in Congress. During the campaign, Baldacci criticized Dunlap for a vote in favor of an abortion waiting period when he served in the state legislature more than two decades ago. "I said I would watch the bill, and it was going down 86 to 53. It was a safe way to show some respect for my community," Dunlap said last week. On his campaign website, Dunlap says he fully supports a woman's right to choose to terminate a pregnancy.
LePage's Record
LePage served as the governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019. He pursued crackdowns on welfare fraud, such as proposals to make program beneficiaries pass drug tests, and he was notorious for making outrageous, Trump-style statements, such as an incorrect claim in 2016 that 90% of drug dealers arrested in Maine were Black or Hispanic.
Golden's Retirement
Despite repeatedly winning tough races against Republican challengers, Golden announced his retirement last year partly because of political violence and fears for his family's safety. He has repeatedly bucked his party and voted with Republicans. Golden said he would not seek another term not long after Dunlap announced he would challenge Golden in the Democratic primary, criticizing his voting record. Golden told HuffPost earlier this year he did not want to make any endorsements as he prepares to leave public life. "I think people in Maine are going to make a good choice," Golden said.
