Maine Democrat Jordan Wood ends Senate bid to pursue House run
Jordan Wood, a Maine Democrat, has ended his bid for the U.S. Senate to rather run for the U.S.House of Representatives in maine’s 2nd Congressional District. This decision follows incumbent Rep. Jared Golden’s proclamation that he will not seek reelection, leaving one of the nation’s most competitive House races open. Wood, previously competing in a contested Senate primary against candidates including Governor Janet Mills and progressive oysterman graham Platner, is shifting his campaign to focus on the House district. Although currently living outside the district, Wood plans to move within its boundaries and bring his Senate campaign funds-over $920,000 cash on hand-into the new race.
Wood faces competition in the Democratic primary from state auditor Matt Dunlap. the eventual Democratic nominee is expected to run against former Republican Governor Paul LePage, who has substantial campaign funding. Wood has criticized eight Senate Democrats who supported a funding bill ending the government shutdown, expressing disappointment with the party’s direction.
Previously, Wood served as chief of staff for progressive Rep. Katie Porter and has been involved in several liberal nonprofits. He defended Porter amid recent controversy over her interactions with staff. Wood, who is openly gay, condemned platner’s inflammatory past online posts targeting various groups, emphasizing their offensive and threatening nature.
Golden’s decision to retire was partly influenced by concerns about rising political violence, including recent assassination attempts against prominent figures and threats to his family.
Maine Democrat Jordan Wood ends Senate bid to pursue House run
Democrat Jordan Wood announced on Wednesday his entry into a battleground House race in Maine after incumbent Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) revealed he will not run for reelection.
Wood was running in Maine’s Senate Democratic primary, a heated race involving progressive oysterman Graham Platner and Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME), prior to his announcement. However, he dropped that bid in favor of a House run.
“Last week, Jared Golden announced that he’s not running for reelection, leaving open one of the most competitive House races in the entire country,” Wood said. “So I’m stepping up, where I’m needed most, right here in the 2nd District.”
Wood lives 20 miles outside the district but said he is moving within its borders, bringing with him his Senate campaign funding haul, which ended September with over $920,000 cash on hand, including a $250,000 loan.
Running against Wood in the Democratic primary is Matt Dunlap, the state auditor. The winner will likely face two-term former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican whose campaign had $716,000 cash on hand at the end of September.
Wood criticized the eight Senate Democrats who sided with Republicans on Sunday to pass a funding bill that would end the government shutdown.
“America needs an opposition party willing to fight for them,” Wood wrote on X. “This ‘deal’ isn’t that. Sad night for the Democratic Party and our country.”
The Maine Democrat was the former chief of staff for progressive Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) and has helped lead several liberal nonprofit organizations. Porter has drawn criticism after clips of her scolding staff and leaving a filmed interview in frustration surfaced.
“She’s tough, yes, but she’s also decent and accountable,” Wood told the Advocate in defense of his former boss. In the same interview, he condemned Platner’s old online posts.
“What I saw was someone who doesn’t understand what’s wrong with these statements — how offensive and threatening they are, not just to LGBTQ people, but to people of color and women,” said Wood, who is gay.
Golden’s retirement announcement, which opened the way for Wood’s run, was partially motivated by recent acts of political violence, such as Charlie Kirk‘s murder and the assassination attempts against President Donald Trump and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA).
“These have made me reconsider the experiences of my own family, including all of us sitting in a hotel room on Thanksgiving last year after yet another threat against our home,” Golden wrote in an op-ed for the Bangor Daily News.
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