Matthew Dunlap (D) and Paul LePage (R) are running in the general election to represent Maine's 2nd Congressional District on Nov. 3. Incumbent Jared Golden (D) did not seek re-election.
Roll Call's Mary Ellen McIntire writes, "Republicans see the seat — a district that Donald Trump carried three times — as a prime pickup opportunity in a challenging midterm election year." According to Maine Public, Republicans say Dunlap is too liberal for the district. Citing University of Maine Professor Emeritus Amy Fried, Seacoastonline's Margie Cullen writes, "Dunlap is more progressive than Golden, but ... Golden was more progressive when he defeated a Republican for the seat for the first time in 2018. Plus ... LePage only narrowly won the 2nd District when he unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2022."
The 2nd District is one of 23 U.S. House districts nationwide that Democrats are defending this year that President Donald Trump (R) won in 2024. He defeated Kamala Harris (D) in the district 53.5%-44.5% in 2024. Golden, who was first elected in 2018, won re-election 50.3%-49.7% in 2024. Before Golden, Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R) represented the district from 2015 to 2019.
