{"id":2431038,"date":"2025-05-05T14:36:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T18:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-gop-gov-paul-lepage-challenges-jared-golden-maines-seat\/"},"modified":"2025-05-05T14:37:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T18:37:44","slug":"former-gop-gov-paul-lepage-challenges-jared-golden-maines-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-gop-gov-paul-lepage-challenges-jared-golden-maines-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Former GOP Gov. Paul LePage challenges Jared Golden Maine&#8217;s seat"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-gop-gov-paul-lepage-challenges-jared-golden-maines-seat%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2431038&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former Maine Governor Paul LePage has announced his candidacy to challenge Democratic Representative Jared Golden for the second <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tennessee-republicans-to-unveil-congressional-redistricting-map-that-could-change-delegation-to-8-to-1-gop-advantage\/\" title=\"Tennessee Republicans to Unveil Congressional Re...ing Map that Could Change Delegation to 8 to 1 GOP Advantage\">congressional district seat<\/a> in Maine. LePage aims to provide a &#8220;new voice&#8221; in political discourse, expressing support for former President Donald Trump and a desire to &#8220;fix Washington.&#8221; He emphasizes the need for candidates with <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >real-world business experience<\/a> to address entrenched political interests.<\/p>\n<p>LePage&#8217;s campaign comes as Jared Golden, considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in Congress, has taken centrist positions to appeal to both Trump voters and traditional Democratic supporters. Golden&#8217;s moderate stance, including votes that align with Republican initiatives, has drawn comparisons to former Senator Joe Manchin. Consequently, Golden&#8217;s district is characterized as a &#8220;toss-up&#8221; in upcoming elections, reflecting its mixed political leanings. Golden narrowly won his last election and has urged his party to moderate its tone regarding Trump.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Jared Golden faces challenge from Maine&rsquo;s former GOP governor in purple district<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2112382\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Former Gov. Paul LePage (R-ME) launched a campaign to oust Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jared-golden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Jared Golden<\/a> (D-ME), one of the most vulnerable Democrats in Congress, from his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">House<\/a> seat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>LePage announced Monday that he was running to represent Maine&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/storm-the-capitol-msnbcs-chris-hayes-mocks-gop-2022-congressional-candidates\/\" title=\"\u2018Storm The Capitol\u2019: MSNBC\u2019s Chris Hayes Mocks GOP 2022 Congressional Candidates\">2nd congressional district<\/a> in order to bring a &ldquo;new voice&rdquo; to the political discourse and help President Donald Trump &ldquo;fix Washington.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3399551\/gen-z-lawmakers-build-trump-youth-vote-success\/\">Gen Z lawmakers plot ways to build on Trump&#8217;s youth vote success<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3400361\/psaki-pushes-back-cover-up-biden-mental-decline\/\">Psaki pushes back on idea of &#8216;cover-up&#8217; for Biden&rsquo;s mental decline: &#8216;Aging happens quickly&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3400346\/stefanik-eyes-ny-gubernatorial-race-strongest-position-defeat-hochul\/\">Stefanik eyes NY gubernatorial race and touts she&rsquo;s in &#8216;strongest position to defeat&#8217; Hochul<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The entrenched interests are fighting President Trump at every turn as he works to fix problems. We need more straight talk to help take back Washington,&rdquo; LePage, who was governor from 2011 to 2019 and lost a bid for another term in 2022, said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MainePaulLePage\/status\/1919384635118694678\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">post<\/a> to X. &ldquo;We need more real-world business experience, those who know how to create jobs.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I do not need a job, I am running to protect our Maine jobs,&rdquo; he continued. &ldquo;I am running to serve the people of Maine and help the President fix Washington. We&rsquo;ve had too many years of Washington, D.C., trying to control the people. It is time to put the people before politics.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Golden has fought to keep his seat in the deeply purple district by appealing to Trump voters with centrist positioning, bucking his part repeatedly in recent months on critical pieces of legislation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In April, he voted with House Republicans to pass the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote. In March, Golden defied party leadership again when he became the sole House Democrat to vote in favor of a government spending bill backed by Trump. And in January, the Maine congressman was one of 48 Democratic House lawmakers who crossed the aisle to pass a Trump-backed immigration reform bill called the Laken Riley Act.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The congressman&rsquo;s reputation as a &ldquo;Blue Dog&rdquo; Democrat<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3189052\/jared-golden-embraces-manchin-blue-dog-fight-house-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> has invited comparisons<\/a> to former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV), a Democrat turned independent known for his contrarian takes in the upper chamber.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3189052\/jared-golden-embraces-manchin-blue-dog-fight-house-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">MAINE&rsquo;S JARED GOLDEN EMBRACES MANCHIN &lsquo;BLUE DOG&rsquo; COMPARISON IN FIGHT FOR HOUSE SEAT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Golden&rsquo;s moderate stance comes after he won his last election in Maine&rsquo;s 2nd congressional district by a razor-thin margin. In November 2024, Golden&rsquo;s district was one of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ellisinsight.com\/election-analysis\/only-16-districts-split-the-ticket\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> just 16 districts<\/a> nationwide that backed Trump, a Republican, for the presidency while voting a Democrat representative into office&mdash;a phenomenon known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dr-oz-making-a-comeback-in-the-polls-vs-fetterman\/\" title=\"Dr. Oz Making a Comeback in the Polls vs. Fetterman\">split-ticket voting<\/a>. Since the November election, Golden <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3318167\/hakeem-jeffries-struggles-mount-pelosi-era-anti-trump-resistance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">has urged party elders<\/a> to turn down the rhetoric against Trump.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Golden&rsquo;s seat is currently rated as a &ldquo;toss-up,&rdquo; according to Cook Political Report.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2112382\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2112382\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jared Golden faces a challenge from former Maine Gov. Paul LePage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2431039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Golden-and-LePage.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[34059,6203,34288,45119,54643],"class_list":["post-2431038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-election-2024","tag-gop","tag-jared-golden","tag-maine-politics","tag-paul-lepage"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Golden-and-LePage.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431038","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2431038"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431038\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2431042,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431038\/revisions\/2431042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2431039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2431038"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2431038"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2431038"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}