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Jared Forrest Golden (born July 25, 1982) is an American politician and Marine Corps veteran serving as the U.S. representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district since 2019. A Democrat, he represents a district encompassing the northern four-fifths of the state, including the cities of Lewiston, Bangor, and Auburn, along with the state capital of Augusta. It is the largest district east of the Mississippi River. His district was carried by Donald Trump in both the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, making it a politically competitive area. Golden concurrently won his district both times.

Key Information

Golden, along with Angus King and Chellie Pingree, were the first members of Congress to be elected by ranked-choice voting. He is the only representative to win after initially placing second in the first round of tabulation.[1][2] Golden was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a United States Marine. A self-described progressive conservative, Golden previously served as a co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition.

Early life and education

[edit]

Golden was born in Lewiston, Maine, and raised in Leeds.[3] He attended Leavitt Area High School before enrolling at the University of Maine at Farmington, but left after a year to join the United States Marine Corps in 2002.[4][5]

Golden served with the 3rd Battalion of the 6th Marines, completing two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He rose to the rank of corporal and received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his performance during Operation Steel Curtain. He left the Marines in 2006.[4][5]

Upon returning to Maine, Golden earned a degree in history and politics from Bates College.[6] He then worked for an international logistics firm before joining the staff of Republican senator Susan Collins on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.[7][5]

Maine House of Representatives

[edit]

Golden returned to Maine in 2013 to work for the House Democratic Office in the Maine Legislature. As a Democrat, he ran for and was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2014, representing part of the city of Lewiston.[citation needed]

Golden was reelected in 2016. In the subsequent legislative session, he became Assistant House Majority Leader.[4] Golden chaired the Elections Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Joint Rules.[8]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

2018

[edit]
See also: 2018 Maine's 2nd congressional district election

On August 24, 2017, Golden announced his candidacy against Bruce Poliquin to serve in the United States House of Representatives for Maine's 2nd congressional district.[4] On June 20, 2018, he was declared the winner of the Democratic primary, defeating environmentalist Lucas St. Clair and bookstore owner Craig Olson.[9]

On election night, Golden trailed Poliquin by 2,000 votes. As neither candidate won a majority, Maine's newly implemented ranked-choice voting system called for the votes of independents Tiffany Bond and William Hoar to be redistributed to Poliquin or Golden in accordance with their voters' second choice. The independents' supporters ranked Golden as their second choice by an overwhelming margin, allowing him to defeat Poliquin by 3,000 votes after the final tabulation.[10] He is the first challenger to unseat an incumbent in the district since 1916.[11]

Poliquin opposed the use of ranked-choice voting in the election and claimed to be the winner due to his first-round lead. He filed a lawsuit in federal court to have ranked-choice voting declared unconstitutional and to have himself declared the winner. Judge Lance E. Walker rejected all of Poliquin's arguments and upheld the certified results.[12] Poliquin appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and requested an order to prevent Golden from being certified as the winner, but the request was rejected.[13] On December 24, Poliquin dropped his lawsuit, allowing Golden to take the seat.[14]

2020

[edit]
See also: 2020 Maine's 2nd congressional district election
Golden visits a diner and meets constituents in his district

Golden ran for reelection in 2020 and won the Democratic primary unopposed. His Republican opponent was Dale Crafts, a former Maine representative. Most political pundits expected Golden to win the general election easily; polling showed him ahead of Crafts by an average of about 19%, Sabato's Crystal Ball and The Cook Political Report both rating the contest as "Likely Democratic", and analysis website FiveThirtyEight predicted that Golden had a 96 out of 100 chance of winning, with Golden garnering nearly 57% of the vote in their projection of the most likely scenario.[15][16][17][18]

In November, Golden defeated Crafts 53%–47%.[19] President Donald Trump carried the district in that same election.[20]

2022

[edit]
See also: 2022 Maine's 2nd congressional district election

Golden ran for reelection in 2022 and won the Democratic primary unopposed.[21] Redistricting pushed the 2nd further into Kennebec County. Notably, he picked up Augusta, which had long been part of the 1st district.[citation needed]

Golden faced former Republican congressman Bruce Poliquin, whom he narrowly beat in 2018, and independent Tiffany Bond, who also ran for the 2nd congressional district seat in 2018. In July, Golden was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Maine's largest police union, which "split the ticket" by also endorsing former Republican governor Paul LePage.[22] Polls again showed Golden with a lead,[23] but many organizations rated the seat as a "tossup", as incumbent president Joe Biden was unpopular and inflation was approaching 40-year highs; Decision Desk HQ even gave the seat a "Leans Republican" rating.[24] Nonetheless, Golden led the field in the first round, and defeated Poliquin 53%–47% after Bond's second-choice votes mostly flowed to him.[25]

2024

[edit]
See also: 2024 Maine's 2nd congressional district election

Golden won a fourth term in Congress.[26] He very narrowly defeated Republican state representative Austin Theriault, who was endorsed by Donald Trump.[27]

Golden's district was again concurrently carried by Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election in Maine.[28]

Tenure

[edit]
Golden (left) with Governor Janet Mills and the Maine congressional delegation.

Golden was sworn in on January 3, 2019. During the election for speaker of the House, he voted against Democratic Caucus nominee Nancy Pelosi, as he had pledged to do during his campaign, instead casting his vote for Representative Cheri Bustos of Illinois.[29] Golden voted in 2019 for Article I of the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump but was one of three Democrats to vote against Article II.[30]

Golden endorsed Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado during the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[31]

Golden represents the second-most rural district in the United States, with 72% of its population living in rural areas. The district also has the second-highest proportion of non-Hispanic White residents (94%). Only Kentucky's 5th congressional district exceeds it in the two categories.[32] Additionally, his district was carried by Donald Trump in 2020, the only district in New England to do so.

Committee assignments

[edit]

For the 119th Congress:[33]

Caucus memberships

[edit]

Political positions

[edit]

Golden is a Blue Dog Democrat.[37] He has advocated what he calls "progressive conservatism" and was described as an "obstinate independent" by Axios.[38] Golden states that he hasn't attended a Democratic caucus meeting since October 2021 which his spokesperson explained by saying that it's because he is "the most independent member of his party in the House" so he "has little need" to attend those meetings.[39]

Tariffs

[edit]

In 2025, Golden was one of the only Democrats in Congress to openly support President Donald Trump's tariff policy. He criticized his party's perceived shift toward defending free trade deals and the stock market and "coming out strongly" against Trump's tariffs, advocating instead for a populist approach of "progressive conservatism." Golden expressed concern over Trump backing down from his tariff policy, telling Axios, "My biggest worry is that they're going to do this and lose faith and political will and back away." He opposed Democratic Rep. Greg Meeks' (D-N.Y.) measure in the house to "kill Trump's tariffs".[38]

Golden introduced legislation in January 2025 that would put a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the U.S. His stance put him at odds with House Democrats. Golden also dismissed the 2025 stock market crash that followed Trump's tariffs saying, "The vast majority of Americans have no stocks."[38]

Trump

[edit]

In an op-ed written in June 2024, Golden argued that "While I don't plan to vote for him, Donald Trump is going to win. And I’m OK with that". He rejected the premise that a second Trump term would present "a unique threat to our democracy." and added that "Pearl-clutching about a Trump victory ignores the strength of our democracy". He argued that the members of Congress, citizens and other institutions can hold the president accountable and defend democracy. Several community and Democratic leaders of Maine criticized him for writing the op-ed and accused him of minimizing threats posed by a second Trump presidency.[40]

Government funding

[edit]

Golden was the only Democrat who voted for the Republican stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown, voting against the instructions of House Democratic leadership.[41]

Abortion

[edit]

Golden has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and an F grade from the Susan B. Anthony List for his abortion-related voting history.[42][43]

COVID-19 pandemic

[edit]

Golden in January 2023 was one of seven Democrats to vote with Republicans in favor of H.R.497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, which sought to lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[44][45] A day later, he was among 12 Democrats who supported with Republicans a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[46][47]

George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

[edit]
Golden meets with Penobscot County sheriff and staff

Golden was one of two Democrats to vote with Republicans against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.[48] While he acknowledged the bill had many good provisions, such as creating a national registry for police misconduct, increasing data collection, promoting de-escalation tactics, and banning chokeholds unless deadly force was authorized, he expressed concern over its proposed restrictions on qualified immunity. Golden also criticized the lack of further negotiations since the bill's initial passage.[49]

June 2025 incidents

[edit]

In response to the June 2025 incident involving Representative LaMonica McIver and another involving Senator Alex Padilla, Golden sharply defied his party line. He panned what he calls their "politics as theatre". Golden criticized the conduct of fellow Democrat Padilla, saying that "storming into the FBI headquarters, trying to break up a press conference, and rushing a Cabinet secretary" is not appropriate behavior for someone in public office. He said that "where I come from, if you shove a police officer, you're probably getting arrested," while also adding that this doesn't justify excessive force by law enforcement. Other Democrats disagreed with his interpretation of what happened.[50]

Education

[edit]

Golden was one of two House Democrats, alongside Representative Gluesenkamp Perez, to side with Republicans in voting to overturn President Biden's student loan debt cancellation plan of 2023.[51]

Foreign policy

[edit]

During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Golden organized a letter signed by several members of Congress, urging President Biden to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.[52] In the Gaza war Golden opposed calls for a ceasefire[53] and voted in favor of providing $14.3 billion in additional funding to support Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip at the start of the war.[54] In June 2025, Golden expressed support for President Trump's strikes on Iran.[55][56]

According to OpenSecrets, Golden has received over $500,000 from AIPAC.[57]

Guns

[edit]
Golden meets with constituents

Golden was the only Democrat to vote against the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, a bill that aimed to expand background checks for gun purchases. He was also one of two Democrats, along with Ron Kind of Wisconsin, to vote against the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, a bill that sought to close the Charleston loophole. Both bills passed the House in March 2021.[58]

In 2022, Golden and Kurt Schrader of Oregon were the only Democrats to vote against raising the minimum age for purchasing semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.[59] Later that year, Golden joined Republicans and four other Democrats in voting against a bill that proposed banning assault weapons.[60]

However, after the 2023 Lewiston shootings in his hometown, where 18 people were killed, Golden changed his stance. He apologized and called for a federal ban on assault weapons.[61] He stated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, "I really believe that any law-abiding and competent citizen should have fairly easy access to firearms." However, the shooting raised questions for him, and he stated "Am I going to start carrying an AR-15 slung over my shoulder when I go to the grocery store, when I go to a restaurant?" He noted that the odds of being in the right place to stop an active shooter were slim. "And what responsibilities do I have as a leader of the community?"[62]

Immigration

[edit]

In 2025, Golden was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.[63]

Infrastructure

[edit]
Golden at Elmet Technologies promoting manufacturing and infrastructure in Maine

Golden was the only House Democrat to vote with Republicans against the Build Back Better Act, citing concerns about the elimination of the $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, "tax breaks for millionaires" in the bill and the lack of prescription drug pricing reform.[64] However, he later joined Democrats in voting for the Inflation Reduction Act, an amended version of the original bill.[65]

LGBT rights

[edit]

Golden voted in 2022 for the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the Defense of Marriage Act and federally protected same-sex and interracial marriages.[66] He was one of four Democrats to join with the majority of House Republicans to pass the annual defense policy bill, which included provisions barring Pentagon funding for abortion and transgender surgeries.[67]

Marijuana

[edit]

Jared Golden has an "A" grade from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for his voting record on cannabis-related legislation.[68]

Trade

[edit]

Golden was one of 38 Democrats to vote against the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement Implementation Act.[69] He expressed concern that the law's labeling requirements would not prevent international companies from misbranding products, potentially harming Maine businesses. Golden also voiced skepticism about enforcement, citing America's perceived poor track record with previous trade agreements in protecting workers.[70]

Voting rights

[edit]

On April 10, 2025, Golden was one of only four Democrats who joined all of the Republicans in the House in voting in favor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, commonly known as the SAVE Act. The bill places strict requirements to prove American citizenship in order to vote in federal elections.[71]

Personal life

[edit]

Golden's wife, Isobel (née Moiles), served as a Lewiston city councilor from 2016 to 2018.[72][73] They have two daughters.[74] Golden has several tattoos from his time in the military, including a Celtic cross on his forearm and a "devil dog" which represents his Marine unit.[75][76][better source needed]

Electoral history

[edit]
Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2018 Democratic primary elections results[77]
Party Candidate Round 1 Round 3
Votes % Transfer Votes % (gross) % (net)
Democratic Jared Golden 20,987 46.4% +2,624 23,611 52.2% 54.3%
Democratic Lucas St. Clair 17,742 39.2% +2,111 19,853 43.9% 45.7%
Democratic Craig Olson 3,993 8.8% -3,993 Eliminated
Democratic Jonathan Fulford 2,489 5.5% -2,489 Eliminated
Total active votes 45,211 100% 43,464 100.0%
Exhausted ballots - +1,747 1,747 3.9%
Total votes 45,211 100% 45,211 100.0%

% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)
% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2018 general elections[78]
Party Candidate Round 1 Round 3
Votes % Transfer Votes % (gross) % (net)
Democratic Jared Golden 132,013 45.6% + 10,427 142,440 49.18% 50.62%
Republican Bruce Poliquin (incumbent) 134,184 46.3% + 4,747 138,931 47.97% 49.38%
Independent Tiffany Bond 16,552 5.7% - 16,552 Eliminated
Independent Will Hoar 6,875 2.4% - 6,875 Eliminated
Total active votes 289,624 100%
281,371 100%
Exhausted ballots - +8,253 8,253 2.85%
Total votes 289,624 100%
289,624 100%

% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)
% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2020[79]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared Golden (incumbent) 197,974 53.0
Republican Dale Crafts 175,228 46.9
Write-in 33 0.0
Total votes 373,235 100.0
Democratic hold
Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2022 results[80]
Party Candidate Round 1 Round 2
Votes % Transfer Votes % (gross) % (net)
Democratic Jared Golden
(incumbent) 		153,074 48.38% + 12,062 165,136 52.20% 53.05%
Republican Bruce Poliquin 141,260 44.65% + 4,882 146,142 46.19% 46.95%
Independent Tiffany Bond 21,655 6.84% - 21,655 Eliminated
Write-in 393 0.12% - 393 Eliminated
Total active votes 316,382 100%
311,278 100%
Exhausted ballots - + 5,104 5,104 1.61%
Total votes 316,382 100%
316,382 100%
Democratic hold

% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)
% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2024[81]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared Golden (incumbent) 197,151 50.35
Republican Austin Theriault 194,445 49.65
Total votes 391,596 100.00

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jared Golden

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jared Forrest Golden (born July 25, 1982) is an American politician and veteran serving as the Democratic U.S. Representative for since 2019. Representing a rural, working-class district that supported in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, Golden has maintained his seat through ranked-choice voting amid competitive races against Republican challengers. His congressional service emphasizes support for veterans, small businesses, and border security, often positioning him at odds with progressive elements within his party. Raised in the small town of in Maine's 2nd district after being born in nearby Lewiston, Golden graduated from Leavitt Area High School in Turner. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of and deploying twice to and once to in combat roles. After his military discharge, Golden briefly worked on for Republican Senator before entering state politics, serving two terms in the from 2012 to 2016, where he focused on and veterans' issues. Golden's tenure in Congress has been marked by pragmatic stances, including votes to bolster resources and border enforcement that diverged from Democratic leadership priorities. He has advocated for campaign finance reform, expanded healthcare access, and job growth while critiquing the Democratic Party's organizational weaknesses post-2024 elections. These positions have fueled internal party tensions, culminating in a 2026 from Matthew Dunlap, who accused Golden of insufficient opposition to potential Republican policies. Despite such controversies, Golden's appeal to independent voters in his underscores his emphasis on practical over ideological purity.

Early life, education, and military service

Family background and upbringing

Jared Golden was born on July 25, 1982, in Lewiston, , as the youngest of three children. He was raised in , a small rural town in the same county, where his family owned and operated the Springbrook Golf Club, a modest nine-hole public course established in 1966. Golden’s parents, Joe and Jeannine Golden, managed the family business, which functioned as a community hub rather than an elite venue, requiring hands-on labor from all household members to sustain operations on a tight budget. From a young age, Golden contributed to the course's maintenance through tasks such as mowing fairways, raking sand traps, and weed control, instilling in him an early appreciation for manual labor and small-business resilience, as his parents occasionally deferred their own paychecks to keep the enterprise afloat. This work-filled upbringing exposed him to interactions with a diverse array of local patrons, fostering communication skills through conversations on topics like sports. He attended Leavitt Area High School in nearby Turner, , graduating in a system that emphasized multi-grade classrooms, which further honed his interpersonal abilities amid a backdrop of team sports participation in , soccer, football, and , though he did not pursue competitively.

Education

Golden graduated from Leavitt Area High School in Turner, , in 2001. Following his high school graduation, he enrolled at the with the intention of becoming a teacher but departed after the , 2001, attacks to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, attending the institution from 2001 to 2002. After completing his military service in 2006, Golden returned to academia and obtained a degree in and from in , in 2011.

Military career

Golden enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2002 as a freshman at the , motivated by the . He served four years as an infantryman. Golden deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. His second deployment was to Iraq from 2005 to 2006, where he participated in Operation Steel Curtain, a joint U.S.-Iraqi offensive in November 2005 aimed at clearing insurgent strongholds along the Iraq-Syria border. For superior performance during Operation Steel Curtain, Golden received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in 2005. He has been described as a combat veteran based on these deployments.

Maine House of Representatives

Elections and initial tenure

Golden was first elected to the in the 2014 , representing District 60, which encompasses parts of Lewiston in Androscoggin County. Running unopposed in the Democratic primary, he defeated Republican Leslie Dubois in the with 1,571 votes (62.2 percent) to Dubois's 803 votes (31.8 percent), while an independent candidate received the remainder. The victory occurred amid a broader Republican gain of seats in the Maine House, reflecting the state's divided political landscape at the time. In 2016, Golden won re-election to a second term as an incumbent, again running unopposed in the Democratic primary before defeating Republican Jeffery Padham in the general by 2,420 votes (71.6 percent) to 962 (28.4 percent). This strong margin aligned with Democratic gains in the chamber during that cycle, as the party secured a narrow majority. During his initial tenure from 2015 to 2018, Golden focused on veterans' issues and rural , sponsoring LD 1062 in the 127th to provide state support for housing homeless veterans through partnerships with federal programs. He also advocated for expanded broadband access in underserved areas, passing measures to improve connectivity in rural districts like his own. By 2016, Golden had risen to the role of Assistant in the Democratic caucus, reflecting his peers' recognition of his organizational skills and moderate appeal in a competitive . His voting record showed consistent support for Democratic priorities, with a 93.9 percent alignment on party-line votes, though he occasionally crossed lines on fiscal matters.

Key legislative activities

Golden sponsored LD 721 in the 127th , a resolve to establish the Commission to Strengthen and Align the Services Provided to Maine's Veterans, which aimed to study existing state programs for veterans, identify service gaps, and recommend enhancements to coordination and delivery. The measure passed both chambers and was enacted as Resolve 2015, Chapter 48, on an emergency basis. Throughout his tenure from 2013 to 2016, Golden maintained a strong legislative participation record, casting votes on 705 roll calls with 93.87% attendance, approving 642 bills and opposing 63. His activities focused on issues relevant to his district in Lewiston, including informed by his Marine Corps service, though few other sponsored bills achieved enactment during Republican majorities in the legislature.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Jared Golden first won election to the in in 2018, defeating one-term Republican incumbent in a contest decided by ranked-choice voting (RCV). The election on November 6, 2018, initially showed Poliquin leading with 46.3% of first-choice votes to Golden's 45.6%, with independent candidates Tiffany Bond (4.0%) and Will Hoar (2.4%) splitting the remainder, alongside minor write-ins. After exhausting non-viable ballots and redistributing preferences, Golden prevailed with 50.6% (140,946 votes) to Poliquin's 49.4% (137,487 votes), a margin of 3,459 votes certified on November 15, 2018. This marked the first federal use of RCV in the U.S., enabled by Maine's 2018 voter approval of the system for congressional races. In the 2020 general election, Golden secured re-election against Republican Dale Crafts, a former state representative, without needing RCV redistribution. Golden received 53.1% (189,889 votes) to Crafts' 46.9% (167,829 votes), winning by over 22,000 votes in a district that supported by 10 points in the 2016 presidential election. Voter turnout exceeded 400,000, reflecting heightened engagement amid the and national polarization. The 2022 election pitted Golden against state Representative , endorsed by Trump, in another tight race resolved by RCV. First-choice tallies on November 8, 2022, gave Golden 49.3% and Theriault 49.0%, with independents and others claiming the balance; after RCV tabulation, Golden won 50.7% to Theriault's 49.3%, by 3,572 votes. Golden's 2024 re-election bid against Theriault again required RCV after neither cleared 50% in initial counts from the November 5 vote, with Golden at approximately 49% and Theriault close behind. Tabulation on November 15 yielded Golden 50.35% to Theriault's 49.65%, but Theriault requested a recount completed in late November, which narrowed but confirmed the margin; Theriault conceded on December 4, 2024, securing Golden's fourth term starting January 3, 2025.
Election YearOpponentFirst-Choice ResultsFinal RCV ResultsMargin
2018 (R)Golden: 45.6%, Poliquin: 46.3%Golden: 50.6% (140,946 votes), Poliquin: 49.4%+3,459 votes
2020Dale Crafts (R)N/A (Golden >50%)Golden: 53.1% (189,889 votes), Crafts: 46.9%+22,060 votes
2022 (R)Golden: 49.3%, Theriault: 49.0%Golden: 50.7%, Theriault: 49.3%+3,572 votes
2024 (R)Golden: ~49%, Theriault: ~49%Golden: 50.35%, Theriault: 49.65%<1% (exact votes pending final certification post-recount)

2018 special election

Jared Golden secured the Democratic nomination for on June 12, 2018, defeating challengers Craig Allen and with approximately 81% of the vote in a low-turnout primary. His campaign emphasized his , blue-collar background, and moderate positions, distinguishing him from national Democratic trends in the rural, Trump-won district. In the general election held on November 6, , Golden faced incumbent Republican , along with independents Tiffany Bond and Will Hoar. The initial plurality count showed Poliquin leading with 46.3% (108,062 votes), Golden at 45.6% (106,400 votes), Bond at 5.7% (13,251 votes), and Hoar at 2.4% (5,694 votes), with over 233,000 ballots cast. Under Maine's ranked-choice voting system—approved by voters in 2016 for federal elections and first applied here—the process redistributed Bond's and Hoar's exhausted ballots, favoring Golden as second-choice preferences from independents predominantly went to him. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap certified Golden as the winner on November 15, 2018, after the ranked-choice tabulation yielded Golden 50.6% (121,009 votes) to Poliquin's 49.4% (118,167 votes), a margin of 2,842 votes or 1.2 percentage points. Poliquin contested the result in federal court, arguing ranked-choice voting violated the U.S. Constitution by denying him a majority and seeking a special election, but U.S. District Judge Lance Walker dismissed the suit on December 13, 2018, upholding the process. Golden was sworn into the 116th on January 3, 2019, flipping the seat from Republican control in a district carried by over 10 points in 2016.

2020 election

Incumbent Democrat Jared Golden sought re-election to in the November 3, 2020, , defeating Republican nominee Dale Crafts, a member of the . Golden, who had flipped the Republican-leaning district in , secured a majority of the vote without triggering Maine's ranked-choice voting tabulation process. Golden received approximately 53 percent of the vote (203,146 votes), while Crafts obtained 46.2 percent (177,029 votes), with write-in candidates accounting for the remaining 1 percent (3,690 votes). The victory occurred in a district that supported President with 59.8 percent in the concurrent , underscoring Golden's cross-partisan appeal rooted in his military background and moderate positions on issues like gun rights and trade. In the Democratic primary on July 14, 2020, Golden ran unopposed. Crafts emerged from a competitive Republican primary, defeating (29.9 percent) and Adrienne Bennett (20.4 percent) with 49.7 percent of the vote.

2022 election

In the Democratic primary held on July 12, 2022, incumbent Jared Golden faced no significant opposition and secured the nomination. The general election on November 8, 2022, pitted Golden against Republican , the seat's previous holder whom Golden had defeated in the 2018 special election, and independent Tiffany Bond. The campaign centered on economic concerns amid national inflation, with Golden emphasizing his bipartisan votes for infrastructure funding and job protection in the district's manufacturing and rural sectors, while criticizing Poliquin for prior support of tax cuts that Golden argued favored corporations over workers. Poliquin portrayed Golden as insufficiently conservative, highlighting his party-line votes on spending bills and accusing him of aligning with national Democrats on issues like that raised local costs. Golden countered by touting independent stances, such as opposition to certain measures and support for border security enhancements, positioning himself as a moderate in a district that favored by 8 points in 2020. Abortion emerged as a point of contrast post-Dobbs, with Bond and Golden expressing reservations about late-term procedures while Poliquin advocated restrictions; however, the race remained competitive due to the district's conservative leanings rather than social issues dominating. Maine's ranked-choice voting system determined the outcome, as no candidate exceeded 50% in the first round: Poliquin received 45.7%, Golden 42.2%, and Bond 12.1%. After Bond's elimination and redistribution of her ballots—most of which ranked Golden second—the final tally on November 16, 2022, gave Golden 53% to Poliquin's 47%, securing his third term. Voter turnout was approximately 68% of registered voters in the district.

2024 election

Incumbent Jared Golden advanced unopposed in the Democratic , receiving all 23,183 votes cast. On the Republican side, state Representative defeated retired businessman Michael Soboleski in the primary, winning 26,757 votes (66.6%) to Soboleski's 13,419 votes (33.4%). In the general election held on November 5, 2024, Golden faced Theriault, a former driver and state legislator endorsed by former President , in , which Trump carried in both and 2020. The race, rated a toss-up by forecasters and targeted by both the and the , centered on issues including border security, , and economic policy. Theriault emphasized strengthening southern border security, while Golden highlighted his record of voting against party lines on spending and for s, including proposing a 10% universal import . Following the October 2023 Lewiston , guns became a prominent issue, with Golden shifting to support an assault weapons ban, a position he codified by co-sponsoring related legislation. Initial election night results showed neither candidate surpassing 50% of first-choice votes under Maine's ranked-choice voting system, with Golden at approximately 49.7% and Theriault at 49.5%, the remainder scattered among write-ins and minor candidates. After redistributing second-choice preferences over several days, the ranked-choice tabulation certified Golden's victory on November 15, 2024, with 50.35% (about 196,000 votes) to Theriault's 49.65% (about 194,000 votes), a margin of roughly 2,000 votes from a total of 390,596 ballots cast. Theriault requested a recount, which largely affirmed the results, before conceding on December 4, 2024. Golden raised $7.1 million for his campaign, significantly outpacing Theriault's $3.2 million, which supported extensive advertising in the rural, working-class district spanning northern and eastern . Golden's win marked his fourth consecutive victory in the Republican-leaning district, attributed to his moderate positions and Marine Corps background appealing to independent voters.

Committee assignments

In the (2025–2027), Representative Jared Golden serves on the House Committee on Armed Services, where he is assigned to the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces and the Subcommittee on Readiness. These assignments align with Golden's prior service as a Marine Corps officer in and , positioning him to address military readiness, naval capabilities, and force projection issues. Golden also serves on the House Committee on , chairing the Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development. In this role, he has focused on enhancing federal contracting opportunities and support for small businesses, particularly in rural and agricultural sectors critical to Maine's . His appointment to the Committee dates to at least the 118th Congress, where he advanced bipartisan measures to bolster small business development centers and procurement reforms.

Caucus memberships

Golden serves as a member of the , a group of fiscally conservative Democrats advocating for centrist policies on spending and economic issues. He is also a co-founder and co-chair of the For Country Caucus, a bipartisan organization of military veterans in focused on national security, government efficiency, and reducing political polarization. Additionally, Golden participates in the , which promotes bipartisan solutions on legislative priorities such as , , and permitting . His memberships extend to numerous issue-specific and regional caucuses, including the , , , Boating Caucus, Construction Procurement Caucus, End Corruption Caucus, , LGBT Equality Caucus, Military Mental Health Task Force, , Native American Caucus, , Organic Caucus, Paper and Packaging Caucus, , Shipbuilding Caucus, Small Brewers Caucus, Sportsmen's Caucus, and Working Forests Caucus. These affiliations underscore his emphasis on bipartisan cooperation, veterans' issues, Maine's outdoor economy, and targeted domestic priorities like and healthcare access.

Legislative tenure and key votes


Jared Golden has represented in the U.S. House since , 2019. His legislative tenure emphasizes , veterans' issues, and bipartisan efforts, reflecting his background as a Marine Corps and the priorities of his rural, working-class . Golden has sponsored 86 bills and cosponsored 849 others as of 2025, including measures for government integrity, such as six bills introduced in April 2024 to combat and enhance transparency. He has garnered recognition for , ranking among the top ten most bipartisan House members since the 117th Congress, with over 80% of his 126 cosponsored bills since 2021 involving cross-party support. Golden voted in favor of one article in the first impeachment of President on December 18, 2019, supporting the charge of but opposing obstruction of Congress, a split decision that highlighted his independent streak as one of few Democrats to diverge. He supported the second impeachment article on of insurrection against Trump on January 13, 2021. On infrastructure, Golden voted yes for the (H.R. 3684) on November 5, 2021, backing $1.2 trillion in spending for roads, bridges, , and other projects beneficial to Maine's economy. In defense matters, Golden has consistently supported annual National Defense Authorization Acts, including the Fiscal Year 2026 version (H.R. 3838) on September 10, 2025, which authorized military spending and procurement reforms. He backed the PACT Act of 2022, expanding healthcare for veterans exposed to burn pits, aligning with his committee work on Armed Services. On gun control, Golden opposed the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808) on July 29, 2022, joining four other Democrats against the measure. Following the October 25, 2023, Lewiston mass shooting using an assault-style rifle, he reversed course, publicly apologizing for past opposition and calling for a federal ban on such weapons. More recently, Golden crossed party lines by voting for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act on April 10, 2025, requiring proof of citizenship for federal , which passed with Republican support. He also voted to avert a via the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (H.R. 5371) on September 18, 2025. These votes underscore Golden's pattern of prioritizing district-specific pragmatism over strict party loyalty, as evidenced by scorecards from groups like , which rated him at 26% alignment with conservative priorities in the 117th and 118th Congresses.

Economic policy positions

Trade and tariffs

Jared Golden has expressed support for protectionist trade measures, arguing that tariffs can protect domestic and generate revenue for investments. In October 2024, he endorsed proposals for broad tariffs, stating that they have been utilized by presidents of both parties to counter unfair trade practices, particularly from . He reintroduced legislation in January 2025 to establish a 10% on all imports, framing it as a means to incentivize domestic production and enhance economic security amid incoming administration policies. In August 2025, Golden co-introduced the bipartisan Secure Trade Act with Republican , which would codify a 10% baseline on all imported , impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports under a revised Harmonized Tariff Schedule category, and overhaul U.S. trade policy toward to prioritize . The bill aims to give greater authority over tariff-setting, with Golden emphasizing the need for lawmakers to address trade imbalances that disadvantage American workers. He has defended these positions against Democratic opposition, voting in April 2025 against a House measure to terminate broad announced by President Trump. Golden has praised specific tariff actions targeting adversaries, issuing a statement in February 2025 welcoming new tariffs on imports from , , and as a response to trade deficits and security concerns. In April 2025, he reiterated support for Trump's tariff announcements, warning that backing down would undermine U.S. leverage against . This stance aligns with his broader critique of agreements; in December 2019, he voted against the United States-Mexico- Agreement (USMCA), contending it failed to sufficiently restore manufacturing jobs lost under prior pacts like NAFTA.

Infrastructure and job creation

Congressman Jared Golden supported the , signed into law on November 15, 2021, which allocated $1.2 trillion for transportation, , water systems, and resilience projects, creating an estimated 1.5 million jobs nationwide over a decade. Golden voted for the bill on November 6, 2021, highlighting its benefits for Maine's rural roads, bridges, expansion, and lead pipe replacement to generate construction and maintenance jobs. In , the law has funded over $500 million in projects, including highway improvements and port enhancements supporting local employment in and other facilities. Golden has prioritized job creation in Maine's traditional industries, co-introducing the bipartisan Future Logging Careers Act on February 11, 2025, with Senator to provide training and apprenticeships for youth in the forest products sector, addressing workforce shortages in and timber harvesting. aims to exempt certain 16- and 17-year-olds from overtime restrictions under the Fair Labor Standards Act for hands-on experience, fostering long-term employment in Maine's $8 billion forest economy. In defense appropriations, Golden secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 for and , including investments in to sustain thousands of high-wage jobs in ship repair and construction. These efforts reflect his focus on leveraging federal investments to bolster domestic and infrastructure-dependent sectors, emphasizing skilled trades over service-oriented growth.

Government spending and funding

Jared Golden has positioned himself as a fiscal moderate within the Democratic Party, advocating for measures to curb long-term growth while supporting targeted government funding for , veterans, and rural economies in his district. In April 2023, he released a fiscal framework proposing to stabilize the national at 100 percent of GDP over two years through caps, revenue increases from high earners and corporations, and reforms to entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. This plan emphasized bipartisan compromise to address what Golden described as unsustainable borrowing levels exceeding $31 trillion at the time. Golden has frequently broken with Democratic leadership on short-term funding measures, becoming the sole House Democrat to vote for Republican-led continuing resolutions (CRs) aimed at averting government shutdowns. In September 2025, he supported a stopgap bill extending funding through mid-November, arguing it prevented unnecessary disruption while allowing time for broader negotiations, despite opposition from most Democrats who criticized it for lacking policy riders on issues like disaster aid. Similarly, in 2025, Golden backed another CR, highlighting his willingness to prioritize operational continuity over partisan demands. He has voted against GOP-proposed budget resolutions he deemed "reckless" and deficit-expanding, such as one in 2023 that included a $5 trillion increase without sufficient offsets. On major spending packages, Golden supported the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, which raised the debt ceiling by $4 trillion while imposing spending caps and clawbacks totaling about $1.5 trillion over a decade, including cuts to IRS funding and non-defense discretionary outlays. He backed the $1.7 trillion omnibus appropriations bill in December 2022, which funded federal operations through fiscal year 2023 and included aid, though critics from conservative groups faulted it for insufficient fiscal restraint. In July 2025, Golden co-sponsored the bipartisan Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act with Republican Rep. John Cline to enhance federal readiness for economic shocks by establishing a mechanism, reflecting his focus on proactive fiscal safeguards. Golden's votes reflect a pattern of opposing unchecked —such as voting against the 2021 American Rescue Plan's waiver of pay-as-you-go rules that risked Medicare cuts—while favoring investments in Maine-specific priorities like fisheries funding and broadband expansion. His Heritage Action scorecard ratings, consistently around 26 percent, indicate alignment with fiscal conservatives on select issues but divergence on broader Democratic-backed expansions.

National security and foreign policy

Immigration and border security

Jared Golden has advocated for enhanced border enforcement and resources for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), emphasizing the need to address illegal immigration as a threat to national security and employment opportunities. He has frequently criticized the Biden administration's handling of the southern border, stating in January 2024 that "illegal immigration threatens our national security and undermines American jobs." Golden voted with Republicans on January 17, 2024, for a resolution denouncing President Biden's "open-border policies," one of 14 Democrats to do so. In July 2024, he similarly supported a resolution rebuking Vice President Kamala Harris's role in border policy, asserting he would remain critical of the administration's approach. Golden has supported bipartisan legislative efforts to bolster border tools, including his proposal incorporated into the February 2024 border security deal to reinstate Title 42-like authority for expedited removal of unlawful entrants. He cosponsored the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act in February 2024, which sought to restore the "" policy, hire additional Border Patrol agents, and deploy surveillance technology, while tying border reforms to foreign aid. In April 2024, Golden was one of five Democrats to vote for H.R. 3602, providing enforcement mechanisms to manage migrant surges and address the border crisis. He has backed over $78 billion in total border security funding during his tenure, including approximately $7 billion allocated toward border fencing and wall construction in various appropriations. Despite these positions, Golden opposed the partisan H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which passed the House but stalled in the Senate; the bill mandated resumption of border wall construction, severely restricted asylum claims, and ended catch-and-release practices. His support for physical barriers has been qualified, focusing on targeted fencing rather than comprehensive wall expansion, as evidenced by his votes for funding measures but opposition to reallocating non-border funds for wall purposes in 2019. Golden has also prioritized northern border security relevant to Maine, introducing the bipartisan DHS Rural and Remote Hiring and Retention Strategy Act of 2023 to improve CBP recruitment in rural areas like northern Maine, and securing funds through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Act for five Maine border stations.

Military and veterans' affairs

Jared Golden enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while a freshman at the . He deployed twice overseas, serving in combat operations in both and , drawing on this experience to inform his congressional priorities on and military readiness. In Congress, Golden serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where he holds seats on the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces and the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. He has collaborated across party lines to advance policies strengthening U.S. defense capabilities, including support for Maine's shipbuilding industry at Bath Iron Works and investments in servicemember welfare. Golden voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorized $874.2 billion in defense spending aligned with the Biden administration's request, emphasizing tools and training for service members based on his combat background. He has also backed appropriations bills increasing Pentagon funding beyond $1 trillion, joining a minority of Democrats in opposition to proposed cuts. On veterans' affairs, Golden has prioritized rural access to care and benefits expansion, co-sponsoring the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act in 2020 to allow per diem payments for domiciliary care without strict eligibility waivers. In 2022, he introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. to preserve clinics in rural locations such as Rumford, Houlton, and Fort , countering recommendations for closures and service reductions. More recently, Golden co-introduced the Supporting our Surviving Spouses Act with Rep. to eliminate offset requirements for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for surviving military spouses. These efforts reflect his focus on honoring 's tradition of through practical reforms.

Foreign interventions and relations

Jared Golden has consistently supported U.S. to following Russia's 2022 , emphasizing the need to counter Russian aggression without direct U.S. troop involvement. In April 2024, he voted for a $61 billion supplemental aid package for , which included weapons transfers and economic support, arguing that inaction would embolden adversaries. He has advocated linking such aid to domestic priorities like border security, co-sponsoring bipartisan proposals in February 2024 to tie Ukraine funding with measures. On , Golden backed $17 billion in military assistance in April 2024, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, viewing it as essential to Israel's defense against shared threats like Iran-backed groups. This stance aligned with his broader support for U.S. allies facing "common enemies," including votes for integrated aid bills covering , , and . Regarding and relations, Golden has endorsed sanctions on Chinese firms supplying to Russia's war effort in , co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation in April 2024 to impose penalties on such entities. He also supported $8 billion in aid for and regional partners to bolster defenses against potential Chinese aggression, framing it as deterrence rather than provocation. Golden, a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, prioritizes congressional authority over executive-led interventions, voting to uphold the War Powers Resolution and block unauthorized military actions, such as a potential U.S. strike on Iran without congressional approval. In June 2025, following a U.S. strike on Iranian targets, he expressed hope that it would safeguard American interests while averting "prolonged military involvement." His positions reflect a restraint-oriented approach, favoring aid, sanctions, and alliances over open-ended commitments.

Social and cultural issues

Gun rights and regulations

Jared Golden, a Marine Corps veteran representing Maine's rural 2nd Congressional District, has maintained a relatively pro-Second Amendment stance compared to many Democrats, reflecting his constituents' strong , while supporting targeted measures to address . He voted against H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, which would have required background checks for nearly all sales and transfers, arguing it would burden law-abiding owners without adequately improving the existing National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Similarly, in March 2021, Golden was the only Democrat to vote against both H.R. 8 (2021 version) and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, citing concerns over ineffective implementation and privacy intrusions for private sales. Golden supported the (S. 2938) in June 2022, which expanded background checks for buyers under 21, closed the "boyfriend " for domestic abusers, funded mental health programs and red flag laws, and invested in school safety following the Uvalde shooting. He opposed broader restrictions, voting against H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, which targeted semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines, and H.R. 7910, the Protecting Our Kids Act of 2022, which raised the purchase age for semi-automatic weapons to 21 and banned certain magazines. These positions earned him a B rating from the (NRA) Political Victory Fund in 2022. Following the October 25, 2023, , , where the perpetrator used a modeled after military designs to kill 18 people, Golden reversed his long-held opposition to an assault weapons ban. On October 26, 2023, he publicly apologized, stating, "I have opposed efforts to ban assault weapons... For that, I now ask for forgiveness," and pledged to co-sponsor legislation banning such firearms while affirming his commitment to Second Amendment rights for hunting and . This shift prompted the NRA to downgrade his rating to F and endorse his Republican challenger in the 2024 election, accusing him of supporting bans on commonly owned semi-automatics and registries—claims Golden refuted, emphasizing no support for registries and highlighting endorsements from hunting groups and rural gun owners. In the 2024 campaign, guns became a central issue, with Golden defending his record as balanced, including votes for tool access like service weapon purchases, amid criticism from both sides.

Abortion and reproductive rights

Jared Golden identifies as pro-choice and has consistently supported federal protections for abortion access, including efforts to codify the framework established by Roe v. Wade. In October 2024, during his reelection campaign, he stated that he would "always support women's rights to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions," contrasting his record with his opponent's opposition to abortion rights. He has received a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America for his legislative actions aligned with expanding abortion access. Golden has voted multiple times for the , a bill that would prohibit states from enacting pre-viability bans or imposing undue restrictions on providers, thereby aiming to restore nationwide access akin to pre-Dobbs standards; he supported it in the 117th (2021–2023) and reiterated this stance in a January 2024 statement marking the 51st anniversary of . In September 2022, he cosponsored the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, which sought to bar governments from interfering with interstate travel for services or related care. Following the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. decision on June 24, 2022, which overturned and returned regulation to states, Golden condemned the ruling as a "grave setback for women across our nation" and committed to legislative action to "restore the protections of ." He has opposed measures perceived as restricting providers, such as voting against a bill in 2023 that would have imposed prison time on physicians failing to act in cases of infants born alive during attempted abortions, arguing it threatened standard medical practices during complications. In a January 2025 statement on the 52nd anniversary of , he criticized pending legislation as "vague" and designed to "intimidate doctors" in states retaining abortion legality. Pro-life organizations have criticized Golden's record, assigning him failing grades for supporting the elimination of taxpayer funding prohibitions on abortions, both domestically and via foreign aid, as reflected in his votes against renewals and similar fiscal safeguards. Despite Maine's state-level protections under a 2020 allowing abortions up to viability with post-viability exceptions for health risks, Golden has advocated for national standards to state-level restrictions, including launching a constituent survey in 2024 explicitly opposing any federal ban.

Drug policy including marijuana

Jared Golden has advocated for federal reforms to support state-legal businesses, including introducing legislation to extend (SBA) programs such as lending, counseling, and training to firms operating in compliance with state laws. In April 2021, he reintroduced the Ensuring Access to Counseling and Training for All Small Businesses Act, which aimed to prohibit SBA resource partners from denying services to legal enterprises, arguing that such access would foster growth in regulated markets while states like generate tax revenue from recreational marijuana legalized via voter in 2016. Similarly, in 2019, Golden cosponsored bills to enable businesses to apply for SBA-backed loans, emphasizing equitable treatment for industries operating legally under state regulations despite federal prohibitions. His pro-reform stance is reflected in a 92% rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) based on his congressional voting record through , indicating consistent support for measures to reduce federal restrictions on marijuana. However, Golden has prioritized enforcement against illicit marijuana operations, particularly those owned by Chinese nationals exploiting regulatory gaps in rural areas. In February 2024, he co-led a bipartisan letter with Senator requesting a Department of Justice briefing on Chinese-owned farms linked to environmental damage, , and , following reports of over 100 such sites in alone. A follow-up letter in August 2023 with the full delegation urged to deploy federal resources for raids and prosecutions, highlighting risks from foreign adversaries dominating the . Beyond marijuana, Golden has focused on combating the , which has severely impacted with overdose rates exceeding national averages. He maintains that comprehensive action is required, including to treatment and recovery services, and in January 2019 urged House leadership to prioritize opioid funding in appropriations. Golden has supported affordable healthcare for those in recovery amid worsening pandemic-era trends and backed efforts to address trafficking, aligning with bipartisan calls for stricter border controls on precursors while funding domestic prevention. Jared Golden has supported federal legislation aimed at prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and . As an original cosponsor, he voted in favor of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which passed the House on February 25, 2021, by a vote of 224-206; the bill sought to amend the to extend protections in areas such as , , and public accommodations. Golden voted for H.R. 8404, the , which passed the on July 19, , by a vote of 267-157 and provided statutory recognition for same-sex and interracial marriages following the 2015 decision. He has publicly affirmed the importance of federal recognition for same-sex marriages, stating in that the act would provide statutory protection after relying on judicial precedent. In 2019, shortly after entering , Golden opposed the Trump administration's policy restricting individuals from , arguing it contradicted military readiness and vowing to advocate for personnel's inclusion using his position on the House Armed Services Committee. However, as a committee member, he voted for versions of the (NDAA) that included provisions limiting Department of Defense coverage for certain gender transition-related medical procedures for service members and dependents; for instance, he supported the fiscal year 2024 NDAA, passed by the House on December 11, 2024, which barred such coverage amid broader military funding priorities he highlighted, such as investments. Golden has backed other measures advancing LGBT data collection and international protections, including yea votes on H.R. 4176, the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act (passed February 9, 2022), and H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act, which addresses violence against LGBT individuals abroad. His record reflects alignment with Democratic priorities on civil protections while prioritizing operational concerns in defense , drawing from some progressive advocates for perceived moderation on potential threats to LGBT rights under a second Trump administration.

Governance and institutional reform

Campaign finance and anti-corruption

Golden has advocated for reforms to limit money in politics, curb foreign influence, and restrict post-office lobbying by public officials. He supports overturning the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision through a constitutional amendment, establishing public campaign financing, and requiring donor disclosure for organizations spending on elections. In April 2024, Golden introduced six bills aimed at enhancing government integrity:
  • The Lifetime Lobbying Ban Act, which would permanently prohibit former members of from federal , replacing current one- or two-year cooling-off periods.
  • The Congressional and Executive Foreign Ban, barring retired members of , senior executive branch officials, and military leaders from on behalf of foreign interests.
  • The Stop Foreign Payoffs Act, prohibiting members of , presidents, vice presidents, Cabinet secretaries, and their immediate family from receiving salaries or holding investments in foreign businesses while in office.
  • The Crack Down on Dark Money Act, capping political spending by 501(c)(4) nonprofits at 10% of their total expenditures (down from 50%) and mandating disclosure of donors contributing $5,000 or more if the group engages in any political activity; this targets the $842 million in undisclosed "dark money" spent from 2010 to 2022.
  • The Consistent Labeling for Political Ads Act, requiring persistent disclosure labels on online political advertisements across platforms, even after sharing.
  • The Fighting Foreign Influence Act, which mandates disclosure of large foreign gifts to tax-exempt organizations, bans former presidents, vice presidents, and military officials from foreign , and requires campaigns to verify donors' U.S. addresses.
Additional measures include the TRUST in Congress Act to ban stock trading by members and their families (except blind trusts), term limits of three House terms and two Senate terms, elimination of pensions for convicted members via the NO CORRUPTION Act, and the Block Foreign-Funded Political Ads Act. In 2021, he co-introduced the Ban Corporate PACs Act with Rep. Josh Harder to prohibit for-profit corporations from funding or operating PACs, dissolving existing ones within a year, citing over $400 million in national corporate PAC contributions during the 2020 cycle. Golden also reintroduced the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to bar foreign donations in state and local referendums. During his 2018 campaign, Golden pledged to reject corporate PAC contributions, as endorsed by the advocacy group End Citizens United. However, Federal Election Commission data shows he has accepted PAC funds from trade associations and other entities, totaling $28,000 in his first two campaigns and $116,000 across the 2022 and 2024 cycles, including $2,500 from the American Petroleum Institute PAC and $3,500 from the American Hospital Association PAC. For the 2023-2024 cycle, OpenSecrets reports he raised $7.74 million overall, with PAC contributions comprising 13% ($1.00 million), primarily from sectors like securities and investment ($777,000 from individuals in that industry) and pro-Israel groups ($634,000 total, including $566,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee). Critics, including local reporting, have noted this increase in special-interest funding despite his reform rhetoric, though trade association PACs operate under the same $5,000 annual limits as corporate PACs and differ in structure by aggregating member contributions rather than direct corporate treasuries.

Voting integrity and election laws

Golden supported the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, H.R. 8281, which requires documentary proof of U.S. for federal to prevent non-citizen voting, voting for its passage in the House on April 10, 2025, as one of only four Democrats to do so. The bill clarifies and strengthens existing prohibitions on non-citizen voting under , addressing gaps in state registration processes where affidavits alone may suffice. In January 2025, Golden led a bipartisan group including Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick and in introducing the Election Modernization and Integrity Act, aimed at enhancing election security through measures like improved voter roll maintenance and federal standards for ballot integrity while preserving access. Golden voted for H.R. 1, the For the People Act, in March 2021, a comprehensive bill that expanded access, including automatic and same-day registration, while mandating risk-limiting audits and paper ballots for election security; opponents argued it preempted state-level safeguards like voter ID requirements. In October 2025, Golden opposed 's Question 1 , which sought to implement strict voter ID requirements for absentee ballots, warning it would "dismantle" the state's absentee voting system relied upon by many residents and make voting harder without commensurate integrity gains. This stance contrasted with his earlier votes against voter ID mandates as a state legislator, though his SAVE Act support has drawn accusations of inconsistency from Republican critics. Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Golden condemned the violence and affirmed the of Joe Biden's electoral victory, stating that efforts to overturn results undermined democratic processes without evidence of widespread sufficient to alter outcomes. He has not publicly endorsed claims of systemic irregularities in the election, aligning with mainstream Democratic positions while emphasizing bipartisan reforms to build public trust.

Partisanship and party critiques

Golden has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat willing to diverge from party orthodoxy, emphasizing pragmatic governance over strict partisanship. In a February 28, 2025, interview, he described the Democratic Party as "as weak as I've ever seen," urging it to adopt a tougher stance and move away from what he views as ineffective strategies that alienate working-class voters in districts like his own, which supported in 2024. He has advocated for the party to prioritize by focusing on economic issues and reducing reliance on cultural appeals that fail to resonate broadly. Golden has repeatedly criticized the influence of far-left elements within the Democratic Party, particularly their role in fiscal standoffs. On October 1, 2025, amid threats of a , he blamed "far-left groups" for pressuring Democrats to reject a Republican-backed funding proposal, arguing that such demands undermined the party's leverage and prolonged uncertainty. This stance led him to vote for a Republican-led on March 14, 2025, breaking from House Democratic leadership and highlighting his view that Democrats lacked viable alternatives in negotiations. His independence has drawn internal party pushback, including primary challenges from the left, such as the October 6, , announcement by Matthew Dunlap, who targeted Golden's deviations like supporting certain Republican bills. Golden has defended his approach by promoting bipartisan initiatives, such as leading a cross-party group for election integrity in 2025, to counter what he sees as excessive partisanship eroding institutional trust. He has argued that the Democratic Party's fringes contribute to its electoral vulnerabilities, as evidenced by his calls for rethinking winner-take-all systems via bipartisan committees on January 7, 2025.

Relationship with Donald Trump and party deviations

Support for specific Trump-era policies

Golden supported aspects of the Trump administration's trade policy toward China, particularly the use of tariffs to address intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, and trade imbalances. The administration imposed tariffs on over $360 billion worth of Chinese imports between 2018 and 2020, prompting retaliatory measures that affected Maine's lobster exports but which Golden viewed as necessary leverage for fairer trade terms. He has described his advocacy for higher tariffs on Chinese goods, including automobiles and energy components, as consistent with this approach, stating in 2024 that he had "long supported" Trump's tariff strategy to prioritize domestic manufacturing and protect American workers. On border security, Golden backed increased funding for enforcement measures during the Trump years, voting for Department of Homeland Security appropriations bills that allocated billions for U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, technology, and barriers—aligning with the administration's emphasis on strengthening physical and operational controls at the southern . Between 2019 and 2021, these votes included support for roughly $20 billion annually in CBP funding, often bucking Democratic leadership to prioritize resources for agents and infrastructure over comprehensive packages. While he opposed Trump's 2019 national emergency declaration to redirect funds for construction, citing concerns over executive overreach, Golden consistently advocated for congressional appropriations to enhance enforcement capabilities. Golden also aligned with Trump on select foreign policy measures targeting , such as supporting sanctions and accountability. In 2019, he backed legislation condemning 's actions in and advancing the framework, which echoed the administration's broader campaign to highlight Beijing's coercive practices. These positions reflected his early willingness, noted in April 2019 analyses, to diverge from party lines on issues where Trump's agenda overlapped with working-class priorities in his district.

Criticisms of far-left influences

Golden has publicly criticized what he describes as undue influence from far-left groups within the Democratic Party, particularly when their demands hinder bipartisan compromise on essential governance issues. On October 1, 2025, amid a congressional standoff over government funding, Golden issued a statement asserting that "this government shutdown is the result of hardball politics driven by the demands far-left groups are making," specifically faulting pressure on Democrats to reject a Republican-backed continuing resolution that would avert closure while extending certain Affordable Care Act subsidies. This positioned him as the lone House Democrat voting for the measure, highlighting his willingness to prioritize operational continuity over partisan alignment. In a follow-up on October 10, 2025, Golden reiterated that the shutdown impasse stemmed from "demands from some in the Democrats' base and far-left advocacy groups," emphasizing that such tactics undermine public trust and effective policymaking. He defended his earlier remarks against progressive backlash, noting that "progressives aren't hiding their intentions" in pushing for no-compromise positions, even as he acknowledged support for the ACA extensions in question but opposed tying them to shutdown risks. Golden has also targeted far-left ideological pressures in other policy domains. In August 2023, responding to debates over forgiveness, he described opponents' tactics as driven by "radical leftist elites" attempting to "destroy" those who disagree, framing such approaches as intolerant and detached from broader voter priorities. These critiques align with his self-identification as a moderate Blue Dog Democrat, representing —which Donald Trump carried by 9 points in 2024—and underscore his deviations from party orthodoxy to appeal to working-class constituents wary of progressive overreach.

Responses to Trump administration actions post-2024

Following Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, Representative Jared Golden adopted a pragmatic stance toward the administration's agenda, emphasizing policies beneficial to Maine's economy, such as fisheries and , while opposing measures impacting and federal spending. Golden publicly praised Trump's April 18, 2025, aimed at protecting U.S. fishing interests by addressing foreign and regulatory burdens, stating it aligned with long-standing needs in Maine's and industries, and urged further action against Canadian practices. He similarly endorsed elements of Trump's "America First Reciprocal Trade Plan" announced in early April 2025, expressing pleasure that the administration was using tariffs to counter unfair foreign practices, though he issued a statement on April 2 calling for targeted implementation to avoid broad economic harm to domestic industries. Golden critiqued the Democratic Party's early responses to Trump's initiatives as ineffective and expressed frustration with partisan obstructionism. In a February 7, 2025, interview, he stated that the party's approach had not been "very effective" and advocated for substantive engagement over rhetoric. His February 19, 2025, post highlighted that many of Trump's aggressive pushes, including executive actions, were already encountering legal hurdles, suggesting a deliberate pace to navigate institutional checks. On fiscal matters, Golden voted against Trump's June 12, 2025, Rescissions Act package, which sought to reclaim $9.4 billion in previously appropriated funds for programs like foreign aid and domestic grants, arguing it undermined congressional budget authority and harmed rural infrastructure priorities. In labor policy, Golden actively opposed Trump's efforts to curtail federal union bargaining rights. On July 17, 2025, he joined union leaders in pushing a to force a House vote on legislation reversing a Trump that limited for federal workers, framing it as essential to protecting Maine's employees from overreach. Regarding infrastructure and symbolic actions, Golden raised procedural concerns over the administration's October 2025 demolition of the to construct a , noting potential disruptions without outright opposition to the project itself, in contrast to sharper criticisms from Maine colleagues like Senators and Pingree. During a spring 2025 budget standoff, Golden supported measures to avert a shutdown, warning in a September 26, 2025, update that such crises could expand executive powers unhelpfully amid Trump's agenda. Overall, analyses placed Golden's voting alignment with Trump's stated positions at approximately 44%, higher than most House Democrats, reflecting his district's rural, working-class priorities over strict party-line resistance.

Controversies and primary challenges

June 2025 Democratic Party incidents

In June 2025, U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) faced federal charges for allegedly impeding and interfering with federal officers during a May 9 protest outside an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, where she reportedly attempted to obstruct the arrest of Mayor Ras Baraka. McIver pleaded not guilty on June 25 to three counts, including assaulting or impeding officers, amid Democratic defenses framing the prosecution as politically motivated retaliation by the Trump administration. Separately, on June 12, Senator (D-CA) was forcibly removed, shoved to the ground, and handcuffed by federal agents during a Department of Homeland Security press conference in led by Kristi , after Padilla entered the event uninvited and attempted to question her on immigration enforcement actions. Video footage of the incident sparked widespread Democratic outrage, with party leaders condemning it as an and symbolic of broader resistance to Trump-era policies. Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) publicly broke with his party's prevailing narrative, criticizing both McIver's and Padilla's actions as "politics as theater" that undermined substantive policy engagement. In statements reported on June 13, Golden argued that such confrontational tactics distracted from legislative priorities and reflected performative resistance rather than effective opposition, contrasting sharply with condemnations from colleagues like Representative (D-ME), who decried the treatment of Padilla as "thuggish." This defiance highlighted internal Democratic tensions over strategy toward the Republican administration, with Golden's moderate positioning drawing rebukes from progressive factions who viewed his comments as insufficiently supportive of party solidarity. The episode fueled broader party debates on discipline and optics, contributing to perceptions of Golden as an outlier amid escalating partisan confrontations.

2025 primary challenge from the left

On October 6, 2025, Matt Dunlap, Maine's state auditor and former secretary of state, announced his candidacy to challenge incumbent Democratic Representative Jared Golden in the 2026 Democratic primary for Maine's 2nd congressional district. Dunlap, a Democrat with a history of statewide service including terms as secretary of state from 2005 to 2011 and 2013 to 2019, positioned his campaign as a rebuke to Golden's centrist record, particularly Golden's vote as the sole House Democrat in favor of a Republican-led continuing resolution to fund the government in September 2025. Dunlap's platform emphasized frustration among party activists with Golden's perceived insufficient opposition to President Donald Trump, including Golden's occasional bipartisan votes and reluctance to fully align with progressive priorities on issues like impeachment or aggressive oversight of the administration. He argued that Golden's moderation, while electorally pragmatic in a district Trump carried by 9 percentage points in 2024, had alienated core Democratic voters seeking a more confrontational stance against Republican policies. This marked the first primary challenge Golden had faced in several election cycles, despite his history of narrow general election victories in the rural, working-class district. The challenge drew early support from progressive elements within the state party, highlighted by an endorsement on October 21, 2025, from former U.S. Representative Mike Michaud, a six-term Democrat who represented the same district until 2013 and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2014. Michaud praised Dunlap's "great character and conviction," signaling potential fractures in Democratic unity. Golden's campaign responded by downplaying the endorsement, citing Michaud's past electoral defeat, while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) expressed concerns that a primary loss could forfeit the seat to Republicans in the general election, given Golden's proven appeal in Trump-leaning areas. As of late October 2025, no polling data on the primary matchup had been publicly released, though Golden retained advantages in fundraising and incumbency.

Accusations regarding Trump threat minimization

In a July 2, , op-ed published in the Bangor Daily News, U.S. Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) predicted a victory for in the and stated, "While I don’t plan to vote for him, is going to win. And I’m OK with that," arguing that the contest centered on economic issues rather than existential threats to . Golden contended that U.S. institutions, including , would constrain any overreach, dismissing Democratic warnings of democratic collapse as exaggerated rhetoric that ignored the resilience demonstrated after events like the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. These remarks drew accusations from Maine Democratic state lawmakers and advocacy group leaders that Golden was minimizing the dangers of a second Trump term, particularly to reproductive rights, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ protections, public education, and healthcare access. Gia Drew, executive director of Equality Maine, described Golden's stance as "irresponsible... to diminish how negatively impactful another Trump administration would be," citing Trump's past policies and statements on transgender issues. State Representative Amy Roeder criticized Golden's faith in checks and balances, pointing to Trump's self-described "dictator" comments and the former president's role in challenging the 2020 election results. Pamela Proulx-Curry of the Maine MultiCultural Center argued that Golden overlooked threats to immigrants, referencing Trump's deportation promises and the Heritage Foundation's policy blueprint. Following the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on Trump in , Golden reiterated concerns about partisan , posting on X (formerly ) that "hyperbolic threats about the stakes of this " from both sides had fostered a where became "unsurprising," a view that intensified left-wing criticism of his earlier comments as normalizing authoritarian risks. Critics, including outlets aligned with progressive viewpoints, labeled Golden's optimism "misplaced" and an "unconscionable surrender," asserting it underestimated Trump's potential to erode democratic norms based on his first-term actions and post-2020 rhetoric. Golden's campaign responded by emphasizing Congress's legislative oversight role as a bulwark against executive excess, without directly conceding to the accusations of threat minimization. These accusations contributed to broader intra-party tensions, factoring into a 2025 Democratic primary challenge against Golden from state Auditor Matthew Dunlap, who pledged a "harder line" against Trump amid the president's second term. Golden maintained that his position reflected pragmatic realism in a Trump-won district, prioritizing institutional durability over alarmist narratives that he argued alienated voters without altering outcomes.

Personal life

Family and residence

Jared Golden is married to Isobel "Izzy" Golden (née Moiles), who served as a city councilor in Lewiston, Maine, from 2016 to 2018. The couple has two daughters: Rosemary, born prior to 2023, and Shirley Berry Golden, born on March 24, 2024, in Lewiston. Golden and his family reside in Lewiston, Maine, within Maine's 2nd congressional district, which he has represented since 2019. He grew up in the rural town of Leeds, Maine, but maintains his primary home in Lewiston.

Personal beliefs and affiliations

Golden has publicly described his political philosophy as , a stance he defines as rejecting rigid partisanship and acknowledging that effective solutions transcend party lines. This self-identification aligns with his voting record, which includes support for border security enhancements and resources, often diverging from progressive Democratic priorities, while advocating for reform and expanded healthcare access. Golden previously co-chaired the , an organization comprising moderate Democrats focused on fiscal responsibility and pragmatic policymaking. His personal affiliations include service as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, where he deployed to and , shaping his emphasis on and veterans' issues. Golden has not publicly disclosed his religious affiliation, responding "don't know/refused" in surveys tracking congressional members' faiths across multiple sessions of .

Electoral history

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