"Maine’s 2nd District is the largest district east of the Mississippi River and second most rural district in the nation. It’s also the most conservative district in New England. In fact, with the loss of several Trump-district Democrats in the last election, I now represent the most Republican district of any Democrat in Congress."

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"… I believe every woman has the right to make her own healthcare decisions. Family planning options, including contraception, should be accessible and affordable to all women, regardless of income or insurance. I also firmly believe that Washington politicians have no business being involved in the private medical choices made between a woman and her healthcare professional." (jaredgoldenforcongress.com)

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BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE
Golden served four years as a Marine in Iraq + Afghanistan + graduated from Bates College in 2011. He returned to Afghanistan as a volunteer teacher, then worked as a staffer for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on the Senate Homeland Security + Governmental Affairs Committee. When he entered the Maine State House, Golden became assistant majority leader of the chamber.

 

Rep. Golden was first elected to Congress in 2018 defeating incumbent Bruce Poliquin by 6% in a race decided using Maine’s ranked choice voting system. That made him the first challenger to unseat an incumbent in the district since 2016. In 2020, in a district carried by Trump by +6, Golden defeated Dale Crafts by a margin of 6%. In 2022, he again defeated Poliquin by 6%.

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ON THE ISSUES​
Voted in favor of HR 7120- George Floyd Justice in Policing
Act 0f 2020 (votesmart.org)

• Strongly pro-choice

• In favor of ending Citizens United “either by a constitutional amendment or by another Supreme Court ruling superseding the previous decision." (jaredgoldenforcongress.com)

• Supports investment in infrastructure including roads, bridges + expanding broadband.

• Encourages growth in the renewable energy sector to “reduce electricity costs, lower carbon emissions + create high-quality, good-paying jobs." (jaredgoldenforcongress.com)​

• Regarding gun control, Golden wants to “strictly enforce the background check system... I will oppose efforts to erode our existing background check system because I know that most Mainers support this system + want it to work effectively + efficiently." (votesmart.org)​

• Supports improving the Affordable Care Act + a universal healthcare system like Medicare for All. 

POLITICS IN MAINE

The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, attorney general + both chambers of the state legislature. One US Senator is a Republican (Collins) + the other (King), up for re-election in 2024, is an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats in the Senate. 

 

In the 2022 election cycle, then House Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy publicly stated that ME 02 was one of three top targets for Republicans. He actively worked to recruit + finance a challenger to achieve this goal. There is no reason to believe that McCarthy will approach 2024 any differently. No other Democrat has won this district since 2012, including candidates for Senate + Governor. Rep. Golden has stated his winning formula in a conservative district: “I believe the key to winning here is pretty simple: represent the best interests of the entire community even if that means sometimes going against my own party.”​

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COMMITTEES + CAUCUSES
• Armed Services Committee
• Small Business Committee
• Problem Solvers Caucus
• Blue Dog Caucus
• Co-chair of For Country Caucus