<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) has endorsed Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), marking a rare instance of bipartisan support among sitting lawmakers.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Golden expressed his support in an op-ed published on Monday, stating that he “strongly” backs Lawler, who co-sponsored a bill supporting Maine lobstermen that passed in the House earlier this month.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Mike Lawler has been a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent,” Golden wrote. “I strongly back him, and I hope voters send him back to work.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Golden has represented a red-leaning district since 2018, while Lawler is seeking a third term in a competitive New York district that was won by former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Golden’s endorsement of Lawler, who is facing Army veteran Cait Conley in the general election, is the third time this month he has diverged from the Democratic Party.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Executive Director Julie Merz did not comment on Golden's endorsement but stated that Lawler is “going to lose because Hudson Valley voters want lower costs and are ready for a check on the out-of-control Trump Administration.” Merz added that while Lawler has focused on building relationships with DC reporters, Conley has dedicated her career to serving the country.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Golden and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) have recently voted against party lines on two procedural votes, assisting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in advancing several pieces of legislation.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Both lawmakers defended their votes, stating that their first defection was to get Golden’s lobstermen measure to the floor, while the second was in support of a sanctions bill against Russia and Iran.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In his op-ed, Golden praised Lawler for his support of the lobstermen bill, noting that Lawler represents a district without lobster boats and received no votes or headlines from this action.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“He signed on because a historic American industry, thousands of fishing families, and the principle that federal rules should be built on facts were all on the line,” Golden wrote. “And he understands that in every community, not just in Maine, mom-and-pop shops have been around for generations, and their livelihoods make up the very foundation of our communities.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lawler expressed gratitude for Golden’s support in a statement, calling him a “servant leader” who has worked tirelessly for his district.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Time and again when we needed bipartisan compromise, Jared was always there ready to deliver,” Lawler stated. “I’m honored to have earned his support.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez’s votes have caused some discontent within the House Democratic caucus, with calls for potential consequences for their actions.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As of now, there have been no public repercussions for Golden or Gluesenkamp Perez, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) indicating that Democratic leadership will address the situation in due course.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Golden told the Washington Examiner last week that his “No. 1 job is to do right by my constituency as best as I can see,” prioritizing his state and country before his affiliation with the Democratic Party.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“But you know I got my head straight about the orders as I just laid it out, right?” Golden said. “Constituents, state, country.”</p>