Maine Democrat Endorses Republican Congressman Mike Lawler for Re-election

<p>A retiring Maine Democrat endorsed Republican Congressman Mike Lawler for re-election in New York, potentially aiding Lawler's campaign ahead of the November midterm elections.</p><p>In a USA TODAY Network op-ed published on September 21, 2026, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who has represented Maine’s 2nd Congressional District for eight years and is not seeking re-election, publicly supported Lawler, citing their bipartisan collaboration. The endorsement complicates House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ (D-NY) efforts to regain control of the chamber.</p><p>“I strongly back him, and I hope voters send him back to work,” Golden wrote of Lawler. “Wherever you live, find the members who pass laws with the other party, and keep them.”</p><p>Golden is a moderate Democrat representing a district that President Donald Trump won in 2024 and has often diverged from his party on significant votes. Earlier this month, he was one of eight House Democrats to join Republicans in voting for a resolution condemning socialism. In April, he cast a key vote with Republicans to defeat a measure aimed at restricting Trump’s Iran war powers, the only Democrat to do so, which drew criticism from the left of his party.</p><p>In his endorsement, Golden highlighted Lawler's involvement in the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act, which aims to extend a pause on regulations affecting Maine’s lobster fisheries through 2035 while continuing research into whale protections and fishing gear. The House passed the measure in September by a vote of 219-196, moving it to the Senate.</p><p>Lawler, who represents New York’s Hudson Valley north of New York City, sponsored the legislation, stating that it supports America’s fishing communities and protects endangered species without imposing unnecessary burdens on fishermen.</p><p>In the op-ed, Golden emphasized Lawler’s support for the bill, noting that there “is not a single lobster boat” in Lawler’s district, yet he signed onto the legislation to protect what Golden described as a “historic American industry” that was “on the line.”</p><p>“That is how Congress is supposed to work: members of different parties set aside their disagreements, find a problem that matters to the country and fix it,” Golden said. “Mike Lawler has been a true partner to me and a friend to fishing families he will never represent.”</p><p>Lawler is running for re-election in New York’s 17th Congressional District, one of the few Republican-held House districts that former Vice President Kamala Harris carried in 2024. Lawler is facing Democrat Cait Conley, an Army veteran and former Biden administration official. Polls indicate a competitive race, and the Cook Political Report ranks the seat as a tossup.</p><p>In a statement on September 21, Lawler described Golden’s endorsement as “an honor and a privilege.”</p><p>“While we are from different parties and different states, Jared and I have worked during our time together in the House to find common ground on issues that matter both to us and our constituents,” Lawler said. “We share a firm belief that what’s best for the people should come before one’s party, and that if more members on both sides of the aisle took that approach more often, the country would be better off for it.”</p>