Former Maine Governor Paul LePage has announced his candidacy for Congress, targeting the 2nd Congressional District seat currently occupied by Democratic Representative Jared Golden. LePage, a Republican who served as governor from 2011 to 2019, made his intentions clear by filing the necessary paperwork late Sunday.
The 2nd Congressional District of Maine is known for its political diversity, having elected Golden to the House of Representatives four times while simultaneously backing President Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections. LePage, who is 76, became a polarizing national figure during his tenure as governor due to controversial remarks, including inflammatory statements about out-of-state drug dealers and his self-comparison to Donald Trump, whom he supported in 2016.
In his latest campaign announcement, LePage emphasized his commitment to combatting “extreme woke policies,” defending the 2nd Amendment, and fostering job creation. He also criticized entrenched interests for challenging President Trump’s efforts to address national issues.
Golden, age 42, has prioritized the protection of Maine’s fishing communities, opposition to Republican-led health care cuts, and securing employment at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. In response to LePage’s candidacy, Golden stated that he believed LePage was most effective during his retirement years. Golden’s representative noted that the congressman is currently focused on his legislative duties rather than reelection efforts.
LePage’s political journey saw him relocating to Florida after his gubernatorial term ended in 2019, only to return to Maine for an unsuccessful 2022 gubernatorial campaign, which sought to break records as the longest-serving governor in the state’s history. With Republicans holding a narrow majority in the House, the 2026 race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District is poised to be one of the most closely watched contests in the country. Last year, Golden narrowly defeated Republican challenger Austin Theriault. The district’s competitive nature ensures heightened attention as election day approaches.
