Maine's Rep. Jared Golden has landed in hot water with his own party after casting the lone Democratic vote for a Republican-led government funding bill.
According to CNN, Golden's decision has sparked a primary challenge from State Auditor Matthew Dunlap, who argues the congressman too often sides with the GOP over Democratic priorities. This showdown in one of the nation's tightest districts could jeopardize the party's hopes of reclaiming the House.
Golden, representing a fiercely competitive area that backed President Donald Trump by a wide margin in 2024 while narrowly electing him by less than a point, has built a reputation as an independent. Dunlap, however, sees this as a betrayal, telling reporters that Democrats feel “very, very disenchanted” with Golden’s choices.
Last month, Golden crossed party lines to support a GOP funding measure aimed at averting a government shutdown, a move that Senate Democrats ultimately blocked. He defended his vote, blaming the impasse on “hardball politics” driven by far-left demands on party leaders to oppose Trump at every turn.
That excuse doesn’t sit well with many in his base who see it as another example of Golden straying from core party values. If you’re elected as a Democrat, shouldn’t you at least fight for the team when the stakes are this high?
Dunlap seized on this frustration, pointing to Golden’s broader record of crossing the aisle on issues like the SAVE Act, a Republican bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote. He called that vote “inexplicable,” especially given Maine’s strong election system, hinting it’s a sign of deeper misalignment.
Golden, in response, doubled down on his image as a maverick, stating his district is “fiercely independent” and deserves representation that mirrors its diverse views. He dismissed Dunlap as a “30-year party crony” trying to reinvent himself as a progressive to win favor.
That jab might sting, but it sidesteps the real question of whether Golden’s independence is principle or political convenience. Voters in a swing district may appreciate a free thinker, but not if it means abandoning the party that got him there.
Dunlap, for his part, isn’t pledging blind loyalty to Democratic leadership either, refusing to commit to backing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries if elected. He criticized party leaders’ performance, saying he’d make that call based on what he hears when the time comes.
On the other side of the aisle, former two-term Gov. Paul LePage entered the fray earlier this year, launching his bid for the seat with a populist message about putting people before Washington politics. His campaign wasted no time weighing in on the Democratic spat, claiming Golden is “hiding” from constituents.
LePage’s team pointedly noted that Maine residents rarely see Golden in their communities, accusing him of prioritizing out-of-state donors over local voices. That’s a sharp critique, and if it sticks, it could hurt Golden regardless of who wins the primary.
Dunlap, meanwhile, aligns with national Democrats on pressing for a deal to restore expiring health care funding, a priority he believes Republicans must address. Yet his reluctance to fully embrace party brass shows he’s playing to the same independent streak Golden claims to own.
This primary clash isn’t just about two men; it’s about what kind of Democrat can win in a district as split as this one. Golden’s track record of bucking party lines might appeal to moderates, but it risks alienating the base he needs to turn out.
Dunlap’s challenge, framed as a return to party loyalty with a local touch, could resonate if he convinces voters he truly knows their concerns, as he claims with his “neighbors and friends” rhetoric. But he’ll need to prove he’s more than just another insider with a grudge.
With LePage waiting in the wings to capitalize on any Democratic discord, this race is shaping up to be a brutal test of strategy and identity. Maine’s voters, caught between competing visions, will ultimately decide if independence or allegiance wins the day.
