Jared Golden | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2020 | |
| Co-Chair of theBlue Dog Coalition for Administration | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Stephanie Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Marie Gluesenkamp Perez |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMaine's2nd district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Poliquin |
| Member of theMaine House of Representatives from the 60th district | |
| In office December 3, 2014 – December 5, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Nate Libby |
| Succeeded by | Kristen Cloutier |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jared Forrest Golden (1982-07-25)July 25, 1982 (age 43) Lewiston, Maine, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Maine, Farmington (attended) Bates College (BA) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 2002–2006 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |
Jared Forrest Golden (born July 25, 1982) is an American politician andMarine Corps veteran serving as theU.S. representative forMaine's 2nd congressional district since2019. ADemocrat, he represents a district encompassing the northern four-fifths of the state, including the cities ofLewiston,Bangor, andAuburn, along with the state capital ofAugusta. It is the largest district east of theMississippi River. His district was carried byDonald Trump in both the2020 and2024 presidential elections, making it a politically competitive area. Goldenconcurrently won his district both times.
Golden, along withAngus King andChellie Pingree, were the first members ofCongress to be elected byranked-choice voting. He is the only representative to win after initially placing second in the first round oftabulation.[1][2] Golden was deployed toIraq andAfghanistan as a United States Marine. A self-describedprogressive conservative, Golden previously served as a co-chair of theBlue Dog Coalition.
On November 5, 2025, Golden announced he would not seek re-election in2026.[3]
Golden was born in Lewiston,Maine, and raised inLeeds.[4] He attendedLeavitt Area High School before enrolling at theUniversity of Maine at Farmington, but left after a year to join theUnited States Marine Corps in 2002.[5][6]
Golden served with the3rd Battalion of the 6th Marines, completing two combat tours inIraq andAfghanistan. He rose to the rank ofcorporal and received theNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his performance duringOperation Steel Curtain. He left the Marines in 2006.[5][6]
Upon returning to Maine, Golden earned a degree in history and politics fromBates College.[7] He then worked for an international logistics firm before joining the staff ofRepublican senatorSusan Collins on theHomeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.[8][6]
Golden returned to Maine in 2013 to work for the House Democratic Office in theMaine Legislature. As a Democrat, he ran for and was elected to theMaine House of Representatives in 2014, representing part of the city ofLewiston.[citation needed]
Golden was reelected in 2016. In the subsequent legislative session, he became Assistant House Majority Leader.[5] Golden chaired the Elections Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Joint Rules.[9]
On August 24, 2017, Golden announced his candidacy againstBruce Poliquin to serve in theUnited States House of Representatives forMaine's 2nd congressional district.[5] On June 20, 2018, he was declared the winner of the Democratic primary, defeating environmentalist Lucas St. Clair and bookstore owner Craig Olson.[10]
On election night, Golden trailed Poliquin by 2,000 votes. As neither candidate won a majority, Maine's newly implementedranked-choice voting system called for the votes of independents Tiffany Bond and William Hoar to be redistributed to Poliquin or Golden in accordance with their voters' second choice. The independents' supporters ranked Golden as their second choice by an overwhelming margin, allowing him to defeat Poliquin by 3,000 votes after the final tabulation.[11] He is the first challenger to unseat an incumbent in the district since 1916.[12]
Poliquin opposed the use of ranked-choice voting in the election and claimed to be the winner due to his first-round lead. He filed a lawsuit in federal court to have ranked-choice voting declared unconstitutional and to have himself declared the winner. JudgeLance E. Walker rejected all of Poliquin's arguments and upheld the certified results.[13] Poliquin appealed to theU.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and requested an order to prevent Golden from being certified as the winner, but the request was rejected.[14] On December 24, Poliquin dropped his lawsuit, allowing Golden to take the seat.[15]
Golden ran for reelection in 2020 and won the Democratic primary unopposed. His Republican opponent wasDale Crafts, a former Maine representative. Most political pundits expected Golden to win the general election easily; polling showed him ahead of Crafts by an average of about 19%,Sabato's Crystal Ball andThe Cook Political Report both rating the contest as "Likely Democratic", and analysis websiteFiveThirtyEight predicted that Golden had a 96 out of 100 chance of winning, with Golden garnering nearly 57% of the vote in their projection of the most likely scenario.[16][17][18][19]
In November, Golden defeated Crafts 53%–47%.[20] PresidentDonald Trump carried the district in that same election.[21]
Golden ran for reelection in 2022 and won the Democratic primary unopposed.[22] Redistricting pushed the 2nd further intoKennebec County. Notably, he picked upAugusta, which had long been part of the 1st district.[citation needed]
Golden faced former Republican congressmanBruce Poliquin, whom he narrowly beat in 2018, and independent Tiffany Bond, who also ran for the 2nd congressional district seat in 2018. In July, Golden was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Maine's largest police union, which "split the ticket" by also endorsing former Republican governorPaul LePage.[23] Polls again showed Golden with a lead,[24] but many organizations rated the seat as a "tossup", as incumbent presidentJoe Biden was unpopular and inflation was approaching 40-year highs;Decision Desk HQ even gave the seat a "Leans Republican" rating.[25] Nonetheless, Golden led the field in the first round, and defeated Poliquin 53%–47% after Bond's second-choice votes mostly flowed to him.[26]
Golden won a fourth term in Congress.[27] He very narrowly defeated Republican state representativeAustin Theriault, who was endorsed byDonald Trump.[28]
Golden's district was againconcurrently carried by Trump in the2024 United States presidential election in Maine.[29]
Golden was sworn in on January 3, 2019. Duringthe election forspeaker of the House, he voted againstDemocratic Caucus nomineeNancy Pelosi, as he had pledged to do during his campaign, instead casting his vote for RepresentativeCheri Bustos ofIllinois.[30] Golden voted in 2019 for Article I of thearticles of impeachment against Donald Trump but was one of three Democrats to vote against Article II.[31]
Golden endorsed SenatorMichael Bennet ofColorado during the2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[32]
Golden represents the second-most rural district in the United States, with 72% of its population living in rural areas. The district also has the second-highest proportion ofnon-Hispanic White residents (94%). OnlyKentucky's 5th congressional district exceeds it in the two categories.[33] Additionally, his district was carried byDonald Trump in2020, the only district inNew England to do so.
On November 5, 2025, Golden, stating that he had "grown tired of the increasing incivility and plain nastiness" of contemporary politics, announced he would not seek re-election in the 2026 election.[34]
For the119th Congress:[35]
Golden is aBlue Dog Democrat.[39] He has advocated what he calls "progressive conservatism" and was described as an "obstinateindependent" byAxios.[40] Golden states that he hasn't attended aDemocratic caucus meeting since October 2021 which his spokesperson explained by saying that it's because he is "the most independent member of his party in the House" so he "has little need" to attend those meetings.[41]
In 2025, Golden was one of the only Democrats in Congress to openly support PresidentDonald Trump's tariff policy. He criticized his party's perceived shift toward defending free trade deals and the stock market and "coming out strongly" against Trump's tariffs, advocating instead for a populist approach of "progressive conservatism." Golden expressed concern over Trump backing down from his tariff policy, tellingAxios, "My biggest worry is that they're going to do this and lose faith and political will and back away." He opposed Democratic Rep.Greg Meeks' (D-N.Y.) measure in the house to "kill Trump's tariffs".[40]
Golden introduced legislation in January 2025 that would put a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the U.S. His stance put him at odds with House Democrats. Golden also dismissed the2025 stock market crash that followed Trump's tariffs saying, "The vast majority of Americans have no stocks."[40]
In anop-ed written in June 2024, Golden argued that "While I don't plan to vote for him, Donald Trump is going to win. And I’m OK with that". He rejected the premise that asecond Trump term would present "a unique threat to our democracy." and added that "Pearl-clutching about a Trump victory ignores the strength of our democracy". He argued that the members of Congress, citizens and other institutions can hold the president accountable and defend democracy. Several community and Democratic leaders of Maine criticized him for writing the op-ed and accused him of minimizing threats posed by a second Trump presidency.[42]
Golden was the only Democrat who voted for the Republican stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown, voting against the instructions ofHouse Democratic leadership.[43]
Golden has a 100% rating fromNARAL Pro-Choice America and an F grade from theSusan B. Anthony List for his abortion-related voting history.[44][45]
Golden in January 2023 was one of seven Democrats to vote with Republicans in favor of H.R.497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, which sought to liftCOVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[46][47] A day later, he was among 12 Democrats who supported with Republicans a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[48][49]
Golden was one of two Democrats to vote with Republicans against theGeorge Floyd Justice in Policing Act.[50] While he acknowledged the bill had many good provisions, such as creating a national registry for police misconduct, increasing data collection, promoting de-escalation tactics, and banning chokeholds unless deadly force was authorized, he expressed concern over its proposed restrictions onqualified immunity. Golden also criticized the lack of further negotiations since the bill's initial passage.[51]
In response to the June 2025incident involving RepresentativeLaMonica McIver andanother involving SenatorAlex Padilla, Golden sharply defied his party line. He panned what he calls their "politics as theatre". Golden criticized the conduct of fellow Democrat Padilla, saying that "storming into theFBI headquarters, trying to break up a press conference, and rushing a Cabinet secretary" is not appropriate behavior for someone in public office. He said that "where I come from, if you shove a police officer, you're probably getting arrested," while also adding that this doesn't justify excessive force by law enforcement. Other Democrats disagreed with his interpretation of what happened.[52]
Golden was one of two House Democrats, alongside representativeMarie Gluesenkamp Perez ofWashington, to side with Republicans in voting to overturn presidentJoe Biden's student loan debt cancellation plan of 2023.[53]
During theRusso-Ukrainian War, Golden organized a letter signed by several members of Congress, urging Biden to sendF-16 fighter jets toUkraine.[54]
During theGaza war, Golden opposed calls for aceasefire.[55] He voted in favor of providing$14.3 billion in additional funding to support Israeli military operations in theGaza Strip at the start of the war.[56] In June 2025, Golden expressed support for President Trump'sstrikes on Iran.[57][58]
According toOpenSecrets, Golden has received over $500,000 fromAIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee).[59]
Golden was the only Democrat to vote against theBipartisan Background Checks Act, a bill that aimed to expandbackground checks for gun purchases. He was also one of two Democrats, along withRon Kind ofWisconsin, to vote against theEnhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, a bill that sought to close theCharleston loophole. Both bills passed the House in March 2021.[60]
In 2022, Golden andKurt Schrader ofOregon were the only Democrats to vote against raising the minimum age for purchasing semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.[61] Later that year, Golden joined Republicans and four other Democrats in voting against a bill that proposed banning assault weapons.[62]
However, after the2023 Lewiston shootings in his hometown, where 18 people were killed, Golden changed his stance. He apologized and called for a federal ban on assault weapons.[63] He stated in an interview withThe Wall Street Journal, "I really believe that any law-abiding and competent citizen should have fairly easy access to firearms." However, the shooting raised questions for him, and he stated "Am I going to start carrying anAR-15 slung over my shoulder when I go to the grocery store, when I go to a restaurant?" He noted that the odds of being in the right place to stop an active shooter were slim. "And what responsibilities do I have as a leader of the community?"[64]
In 2021, Golden was the sole House Democrat to oppose the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, supported by 30 Republicans, which would have allowed one million undocumented farm workers to apply for legal residency status.[65] In 2025, Golden was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for theLaken Riley Act.[66]
Golden supported H.R. 6 to protect individuals covered under theDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[67]
Golden was the only House Democrat to vote with Republicans against theBuild Back Better Act, citing concerns about the elimination of the $10,000 cap on theSALT deduction, "tax breaks for millionaires" in the bill and the lack of prescription drug pricing reform.[68] However, he later joined Democrats in voting for theInflation Reduction Act, an amended version of the original bill.[69]
Golden voted in 2022 for theRespect for Marriage Act, which repealed theDefense of Marriage Act and federally protectedsame-sex andinterracial marriages.[70] He was one of four Democrats to join with the majority of House Republicans to pass the annual defense policy bill, which included provisions barring Pentagon funding for abortion and transgender surgeries.[71]
Jared Golden has an "A" grade from theNational Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for his voting record oncannabis-related legislation.[72]
Golden was one of 38 Democrats to vote against theUnited States–Mexico–Canada Agreement Implementation Act.[73] He expressed concern that the law's labeling requirements would not prevent international companies from misbranding products, potentially harming Maine businesses. Golden also voiced skepticism about enforcement, citing America's perceived poor track record with previous trade agreements in protecting workers.[74]
On April 10, 2025, Golden was one of only four Democrats who joined all of the Republicans in the House in voting in favor of theSafeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, commonly known as the SAVE Act. The bill places strict requirements to prove American citizenship in order to vote in federal elections.[75]
Golden's wife, Isobel (née Moiles), served as a Lewistoncity councilor from 2016 to 2018.[76][77] They have two daughters.[78] Golden has several tattoos from his time in the military, including aCeltic cross on his forearm and a "devil dog" which represents his Marine unit.[79][80]
| Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2018 Democratic primary elections results[81] | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | Round 3 | |||||||||
| Votes | % | Transfer | Votes | % (gross) | % (net) | |||||||
| Democratic | Jared Golden | 20,987 | 46.4% | +2,624 | 23,611 | 52.2% | 54.3% | |||||
| Democratic | Lucas St. Clair | 17,742 | 39.2% | +2,111 | 19,853 | 43.9% | 45.7% | |||||
| Democratic | Craig Olson | 3,993 | 8.8% | -3,993 | Eliminated | |||||||
| Democratic | Jonathan Fulford | 2,489 | 5.5% | -2,489 | Eliminated | |||||||
| Total active votes | 45,211 | 100% | 43,464 | 100.0% | ||||||||
| Exhausted ballots | - | +1,747 | 1,747 | 3.9% | ||||||||
| Total votes | 45,211 | 100% | 45,211 | 100.0% | ||||||||
% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)
% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes
| Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2018 general elections[82] | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | Round 3 | |||||||||
| Votes | % | Transfer | Votes | % (gross) | % (net) | |||||||
| Democratic | Jared Golden | 132,013 | 45.6% | + 10,427 | 142,440 | 49.18% | 50.62% | |||||
| Republican | Bruce Poliquin (incumbent) | 134,184 | 46.3% | + 4,747 | 138,931 | 47.97% | 49.38% | |||||
| Independent | Tiffany Bond | 16,552 | 5.7% | - 16,552 | Eliminated | |||||||
| Independent | Will Hoar | 6,875 | 2.4% | - 6,875 | Eliminated | |||||||
| Total active votes | 289,624 | 100% | 281,371 | 100% | ||||||||
| Exhausted ballots | - | +8,253 | 8,253 | 2.85% | ||||||||
| Total votes | 289,624 | 100% | 289,624 | 100% | ||||||||
% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)
% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jared Golden (incumbent) | 197,974 | 53.0 | |
| Republican | Dale Crafts | 175,228 | 46.9 | |
| Write-in | 33 | 0.0 | ||
| Total votes | 373,235 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Maine's 2nd congressional district, 2022 results[84] | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Round 1 | Round 2 | ||||||||
| Votes | % | Transfer | Votes | % (gross) | % (net) | ||||||
| Democratic | Jared Golden (incumbent) | 153,074 | 48.38% | + 12,062 | 165,136 | 52.20% | 53.05% | ||||
| Republican | Bruce Poliquin | 141,260 | 44.65% | + 4,882 | 146,142 | 46.19% | 46.95% | ||||
| Independent | Tiffany Bond | 21,655 | 6.84% | - 21,655 | Eliminated | ||||||
| Write-in | 393 | 0.12% | - 393 | Eliminated | |||||||
| Total active votes | 316,382 | 100% | 311,278 | 100% | |||||||
| Exhausted ballots | - | + 5,104 | 5,104 | 1.61% | |||||||
| Total votes | 316,382 | 100% | 316,382 | 100% | |||||||
| Democratichold | |||||||||||
% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)
% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jared Golden (incumbent) | 197,151 | 50.35 | |
| Republican | Austin Theriault | 194,445 | 49.65 | |
| Total votes | 391,596 | 100.00 | ||
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| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMaine's 2nd congressional district 2019–present | Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded byas Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration | Chair of theBlue Dog Coalition for Administration and Communications 2023 Served alongside:Jim Costa (Policy) | Succeeded by Himself as Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration |
| Preceded byas Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Communications | Succeeded byas Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Communications | |
| Preceded by Himself as Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration and Communications | Chair of theBlue Dog Coalition for Administration 2023–2025 Served alongside:Marie Pérez (Communications),Mary Peltola (Policy) | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 206th | Succeeded by |
