Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, who represents a district that twice voted for President Donald Trump, announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026.
According to Fox News, Golden made the announcement in an op-ed for the Bangor Daily News, one day after Democrats scored major victories in Virginia, New Jersey, California, and New York City.
“I have never loved politics. But I find purpose and meaning in service, and the Marine in me has been able to slog along through the many aspects of politics I dislike by focusing on the good work that Congress is capable of producing with patience and determination,” Golden wrote.
“But after 11 years as a legislator, I have grown tired of the increasing incivility and plain nastiness that are now common from some elements of our American community — behavior that, too often, our political leaders exhibit themselves.”
Golden has represented Maine’s 2nd Congressional District since 2019 and has held onto the seat despite his constituents voting for Trump in both 2020 and 2024. The Marine Corps veteran and moderate Democrat has frequently broken with his party, including on the government shutdown vote in September.
He criticized both major parties in his announcement, saying, “We have seen mainstream Republicans stand by as their party was hijacked first by Tea Party obstructionists and then by the MAGA movement and its willingness to hand much of Congress’ authority to the president. I fear Democrats are going down the same path. We’re allowing the most extreme, pugilistic elements of our party to call the shots.”
Golden added, “Just look again at the shutdown. For as long as I can remember, we have opposed shutting down the government over policy disputes. We criticized Republicans for taking hostages this way. But this year, reeling from the losses of the last election, too many
Democrats have given into demands that we use the same no-holds-barred, obstructionary tactics as the GOP.”
Despite his seat being a frequent Republican target, Golden said politics wasn’t a factor in his decision.
“I don’t fear losing. What has become apparent to me is that I now dread the prospect of winning. Simply put, what I could accomplish in this increasingly unproductive Congress pales in comparison to what I could do in that time as a husband, a father and a son,” he wrote.
“I have long supported term limits and while current law allows me to run again, I like the idea of ending my service in Congress after eight years — the length of term limits in the Maine Legislature.”
Golden’s seat was ranked a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, with a slight GOP lean at R+4.
The National Republican Congressional Committee quickly seized on his announcement.
“Serial flip-flopper Jared Golden’s exit from Congress says it all: He’s turned his back on Mainers for years and now his chickens are coming home to roost,” NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said. “He, nor any other Democrat, has a path to victory in ME-02 and Republicans will flip this seat red in 2026.”
Golden’s frustration with the political climate has been well known. Earlier this year, he said his family was forced to spend Thanksgiving in a hotel after a bomb threat targeted their home.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., praised Golden’s service.
“I sincerely commend Jared for all the work he has done for Mainers, from lowering costs to protecting lobstermen’s jobs and fighting for veterans,” DelBene said. “He has devoted his life so far to service, first as a Marine, then in the Maine legislature, and in Congress since 2019. He embodies Maine’s independent spirit and I wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
