Summary

Current Position: US Representative since 2019
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2023 US Representative for District 2
Former Position: State Delegate from 2014 – 2018
Other Positions:  Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development Subcommittee
District:  most of the land area north of the Portland and Augusta metropolitan areas. 

Golden, along with Angus King and Chellie Pingree, are the first members of Congress to be elected by ranked-choice voting. Golden is the only member of Congress elected after finishing second in the first round of tabulation. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a United States Marine.

Quotes: 
Proud to work with @SenatorCollins
to get this bill across the finish line. $200 million in relief funds will be available for loggers and log haulers in ME and across the USA starting Thursday. We’re ready to work with Maine loggers to apply for this program. #mepolitics

OnAir Post: Jared Golden ME-02

News

Nation’s eyes drawn to Maine’s 2nd House District
Central Maine. Com, Randy Billings – June 16, 2024
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About

Source: Government page

Jared Golden 1Jared Golden represents the Second District of Maine in the United States Congress, where he serves on the Small Business Committee and the Armed Services Committee.

He grew up in Leeds, a small town in Androscoggin County. After enlisting as an infantryman in the Marines, Golden deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan before returning home to Maine.

Congressman Golden currently lives in Lewiston with his wife Isobel.

Personal

Full Name: Jared F. Golden

Gender: Male

Family: Wife: Isobel

Birth Date: 07/25/1982

Birth Place: Leeds, ME

Home City: Lewiston, ME

Religion: Christian

Source: Vote Smart

Education

BA, Politics and History, Bates College, 2007-2011

Attended, University of Maine, Farmington, 2001-2002

Political Experience

Representative, United States House of Representatives, Maine, District 2, 2019-present

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Maine, District 2, 2022

Assistant Majority Floor Leader, Maine State House of Representatives, 2017-2018

Representative, Maine State House of Representatives, District 60, 2014-2018

Professional Experience

Former Employee, International Logistics Industry

Legislative Aide, Maine House Democratic Office, 2013-2014

Legislative Aide, Office of Senator Susan M. Collins, 2013

Professional Staff Member, United States Senate, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2012

Regional Representative, Paxton International, 2011

Intern, Paxton Interntional, 2010

Served, United States Marine Corps Reserve, 2008-2009

Served, United States Marine Corps, 2002-2006

Offices

Bangor, Maine Office
6 State Street
Suite 101
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: (207) 249-7400

Caribou, Maine Office
7 Hatch Drive
Suite 230
Caribou, ME 04736
Phone: (207) 492-6009

Lewiston, Maine Office
179 Lisbon Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Phone: (207) 241-6767
Fax: (207) 241-6770

Contact

Email: Government

Web Links

Politics

Source: none

Election Results

To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post.

Finances

Source: Open Secrets

Committees

Congressman Jared Golden serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He serves on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and the Readiness Subcommittee.

He also serves on the House Small Business Committee. He is the Chairman of the Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development Subcommittee.

Caucuses 

  • ALS Caucus
  • Appalachian Trail Caucus
  • Arts Caucus
  • Boating Caucus
  • Construction Procurement Caucus
  • Gaming Caucus
  • End Corruption Caucus
  • Humanities Caucus
  • LGBT Equality Caucus
  • Military Mental Health Task Force
  • National Service Caucus
  • Native American Caucus
  • Navy and Marine Corps Caucus
  • Organic Caucus
  • Paper and Packaging Caucus
  • Primary Care Caucus
  • Shipbuilding Caucus
  • Small Brewers Caucus
  • Sportsmen’s Caucus
  • Working Forests Caucus

New Legislation

CONGRESS.GOV 

Issues

Source: Government page

Governance

Jared believes our government should work for regular Mainers, not corporations, special interests, or the wealthy. He’s fighting to restore faith and trust in our democracy by getting money out of politics and ensuring public officials act in the public good.

One of the first bills Jared cosponsored when he arrived in Congress was H.R. 1, the For the People Act. The For the People Act is the most sweeping democracy reform to pass the House in decades and includes legislation to shine a light on dark money, help more Americans exercise their right to vote, and ensure government officials act in the public interest. The bill also contains provisions that would strengthen election systems from foreign interference and expand prohibitions on foreign political donations.

In March, Jared helped pass H.R. 1 through the House and secured an amendment in the legislation to set tougher restrictions for candidates utilizing a new matching funds system (similar to the Clean Elections system we have in Maine). He has also voted for legislation that would harden America’s defenses against election interference by foreign countries and make it more difficult for foreign entities to spend money to influence elections. Jared will continue to take action to defend American democracy and make government work for the people.

Education

Education

No matter where in the state they live or how much money their family makes, Maine kids deserve a high-quality education. This work has never been more important: Maine’s workforce is aging rapidly, creating a skills and workforce shortage. Jared recognizes the urgent need to prepare Mainers to address these shortages and ready the next generations with the skills required to stay in Maine and take good jobs.

That means providing schools, particularly in rural areas, with the resources they need to be successful. Teachers are some of the most valuable public servants in Maine. They should not have to struggle to make ends meet and they should have the freedom to teach rather than devoting all their time to testing. Earlier this year, Jared voted to boost funding for K-12 education and provide more support for special education programs across the country.

Many of the dependable, middle-class jobs in Maine don’t require a four year degree. Industries like shipbuilding and forest products need workers with specialized technical skills. Jared believes we need to improve the pathways to these jobs with better access to training programs and more support for apprenticeships. Jared has stood up against changes that would hurt successful apprenticeship programs. He also passed legislation through the House that directs the Navy to develop and implement a plan to train the workforce necessary for its growing fleet at Bath Iron Works and other shipyards.

Jared knows many Mainers struggle under the weight of student loans, stifling their ability to buy a house, start a family, or launch a business. He’s working to help make higher education more affordable for regular folks. Student loan debt in our state has doubled in the last decade, averaging about $30,000 for recent graduates. These are pressures that older generations just didn’t have to deal with and they keep young Mainers from contributing to their local economies, buying houses, having children, and often pushes them to leave the state in search of higher pay. Jared voted to expand Pell Grants, our country’s largest financial aid program. He is also a cosponsor of the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which improves the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program so that teachers, nurses, first responders, and other professions designed to serve their communities can have their loans forgiven after a decade of service.

Environment

Energy & Environment

Maine’s natural environment is our state’s most important resource. Our oceans and forests power our economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs in our state thanks to Maine’s long, proud tradition of sustainable fishing, forestry, agriculture, and land conservation. We manage our resources responsibly so that they’re there for future generations. Jared is working to carry on that important legacy.

Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time. Jared believes it presents a unique and pressing threat to homes, jobs, and entire industries across our state, as well as our national security. He has pushed for our country to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and he voted to pass the Climate Action Now Act, which would direct the administration to begin the decisive, comprehensive actions necessary to address climate change.

Maine’s potential to spur economic growth, create jobs in rural areas, and combat climate change through solar, wind, and biomass energy production is unparalleled in the Northeastern US. Jared is working to pave the way for these industries to flourish and support jobs here in Maine with legislation like the BTU Act, which would incentivize the use of biomass for affordable, energy- efficient heating in homes and businesses and help grow Maine’s forest products industry. Jared is working to help Maine take advantage of its potential for wind and solar energy through tax credits and other policies.

Like most Mainers, Jared grew up with a love of the outdoors and our state’s mountains, woods, rivers, and coastline. He is committed to protecting Maine’s national parks and other public lands and ensuring that future generations of Mainers can continue to hunt, fish, hike, and enjoy our state’s natural beauty. Jared has voted to ban drilling for oil and gas off the coast of Maine and to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, one of our country’s most important conservation programs.

Health Care

Health Care

More than any other issue, Mainers tell Jared about how much they struggle with the high cost of health care. Americans spend twice as much on health care as other advanced countries, but we still receive worse health outcomes. Whether it’s unaffordable insurance premiums, the skyrocketing cost of medication, or an hours-long drive to see an expensive specialist, it’s clear our health care system is broken.

Jared believes our country needs to move towards a universal coverage system that makes health care affordable for every Mainer. We won’t get there overnight, so Jared is working right now to defend protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, lower costs by making improvements to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and help more Mainers receive health care coverage by protecting Medicaid and Medicare.

One of the biggest reasons Mainers struggle to afford their care is the ever-increasing cost of prescription drugs. At a time when drug corporations are raking in profits, millions of Americans can’t afford the medications they need. That’s why one of the first bills Jared introduced was the FLAT Prices Act, which punishes pharmaceutical companies for spiking the prices of their drugs. He’s also cosponsored important bills to allow Americans to import safe, affordable drugs from Canada, give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors and millions of other Americans, and cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors.

Jared knows many Mainers work with their hands and it takes a toll on their bodies over a long career. That’s why he supports legislation to allow Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 to buy into Medicare. People who buy into the new plan could reduce their annual premiums by thousands of dollars, crucial progress for middle-aged Maine people who face rising healthcare costs but are not yet of retirement age.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure

When Jared asks small business owners, town managers, and other Mainers working to create jobs and develop our state’s economy about their most pressing needs, rebuilding Maine’s infrastructure is almost always high on the list. Investing in infrastructure creates jobs, boosts local economies, and helps our rural communities thrive. Jared serves as Chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, leading the committee’s work to rebuild American infrastructure.

As one of the most rural states in the country, we know better than most the impact that deteriorating roads, rail, and other infrastructure have on our daily lives. For many Mainers, it means thousands of dollars in car repairs and lost wages thanks to delays or closures. For businesses large and small, it means higher costs, late shipments, and other issues that put them at a competitive disadvantage.

In an increasingly dysfunctional and partisan Washington, improving America’s infrastructure is one of the few issues that both Republicans and Democrats claim is a priority. Jared has pushed for both parties to back up their words with actions and work across the aisle on a strong infrastructure bill that finally makes the investment we need in roads, bridges, and rail. As an infrastructure bill takes shape, Jared will work to ensure that any legislation doesn’t disadvantage cash-poor states like Maine against populous, cash-rich states like New York, Massachusetts, and California.

Jared understands that broadband internet access is one of the most significant infrastructure challenges holding back many rural communities and small businesses. He’s made expanding rural broadband a priority in his first year in Congress. In September, Jared brought a congressional hearing to Machias to learn from the small broadband providers working to expand broadband to rural communities Down East about the challenges they’re facing.

Safety

National Security and Servicemembers

After 9/11, Jared answered the call to serve our country and enlisted in the Marines, deploying overseas to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He knows firsthand the consequences of sending our troops into foreign conflicts without a clear, well-articulated strategy for their mission and their withdrawal. He uses his experience as a Marine combat veteran when confronted with national security decisions in Congress.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Jared works across the aisle to create policies that keep America safe and ensure that our servicemembers have the training and tools they need to fight for our country.

Jared believes we need to reevaluate the use of the American military in foreign conflicts and strike a pragmatic balance: we must be clear-eyed about the consequences of withdrawing our troops from strategically important regions in the fight against terrorism, like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, while acknowledging that nation-building and long, protracted wars are not in our country’s best interests.

Earlier this year, Jared voted to affirm Congress’ authority under the War Powers Resolution and prevent the administration from a military attack on Iran unless authorized by Congress. He also voted to repeal the 2002 Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq, which provided the Bush Administration with authority to attack Iraq during the reign of Saddam Hussein. The Iraq AUMF has been rendered obsolete and is not needed by the Pentagon to conduct current military operations.

Jared deeply respects Maine’s servicemembers and also knows many civilian Mainers play a critically important role in our national defense as well. Thousands perform vital defense work in our state, including building the finest warships on the planet at Bath Iron Works and defense research at our universities. Jared uses his position on the Armed Services Committee to support these institutions and their workers at the federal level, ensuring that they have access to the resources they need and helping create a level playing field to compete for federal contracts.

Veterans

Veterans

Maine has a long, proud tradition of military service. More than one in ten Mainers is a veteran, and Jared is one of them. He understands the sacrifices veterans and their families have made for our country and he’s working hard to make sure they receive the benefits they’ve earned. In Congress, Jared’s focused on improving the health care veterans receive at the VA, helping them transition from active duty to civilian life, and connecting them with resources they can use to get a good job, receive an education, and start a business.

When he returned home from deployment, Jared was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress. He was lucky: he had a support system and was able to get the care he needed. Jared knows that for many veterans with mental health challenges, that isn’t the case. He’s committed to strengthening mental health care for all veterans in Maine. That’s why he’s leading efforts to expand mental health care at Togus to allow long-term mental health patients to stay in Maine to receive treatment rather than be sent out of state. Earlier this year, he successfully passed a provision through the House to increase the amount of funding provided for veterans’ long-term mental health care across the country.

Jared believes the VA provides critical services to Maine veterans and that the VA should not be privatized and handed over to big corporations looking to squeeze out big profits. He knows that the VA isn’t without significant problems, but he believes that those problems are best solved by conducting effective oversight and providing the agency with necessary resources. Earlier this year, Jared helped pass a bill through the House to expand the services available to Vietnam war veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving off-shore. Jared will continue to hold the VA accountable and ensure Maine veterans receive the high quality care they’ve earned.

Opioids

The opioid epidemic is devastating in Maine. In 2018, opioid overdose deaths declined for the first time since the beginning of the decade, but still claimed the lives of 354 of our friends, family, and neighbors. Thousands more remain addicted and need treatment.

This is a crisis that will have long-lasting impacts and Jared believes we must do everything in our power to fight back against opioid addiction and abuse in Maine and throughout the country. One of his first acts in Congress was to call on congressional leaders to make combating the opioid crisis a priority. Jared is also a member of the House Opioid Task Force.

Jared knows that addressing the opioid crisis requires a comprehensive approach, including prevention, treatment, recovery, and law enforcement. State and local agencies are working hard in all of these areas, but they can’t do it alone. The federal government must step up to the plate and tackle the fight against opioid use disorder head-on.

That’s why Jared’s fighting back against efforts to roll back Medicaid, the largest source of coverage for treatment services to Americans struggling with opioid addiction. He’s also working to expand the resources available to communities deeply affected by the crisis. Jared is a cosponsor of the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, which would make grants to fight substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic available to the Maine communities hardest hit by these drugs.

Small Business

Jared grew up working on his family’s small business in Leeds, Maine and learning from his parents about the hard work it takes to keep a small business going these days. He knows small businesses are especially important to us in Maine, particularly in rural areas. From lobster boats to dairy farms to the remaining shops that line Main Street in towns across the state, Mainers have a proud legacy of independent, family-owned businesses that we must fight to preserve.

Small businesses provide more than half of the jobs in our state. So when Jared arrived in Congress, he sought out a position on the House Small Business Committee, where he can work directly on the issues that affect Maine small businesses. Jared leads the committee’s work to improve infrastructure for small businesses across the country and help them compete for federal contracts as chairman of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure. As part of this work, Jared passed a bill through the House to reauthorize and expand the Small Business Development Center program, which provides low- or no-cost business counseling and training at 11 locations throughout the Second District to help Mainers launch or grow their small businesses.

Since taking office in January, Jared has been travelling the Second District meeting with small businesses and convening roundtables with small business owners to learn what they need to succeed and grow. He’s focused on making Washington work for Maine small businesses and connecting them with the resources they need to be successful: capital and grant opportunities, business training, advising, mentoring services, and other programs designed to help them grow and create jobs. In September, Jared brought a congressional hearing to Machias, Maine to learn from small broadband providers and municipal leaders about the challenges they face bringing broadband to rural communities Down East.

Small businesses have told Jared that Congress needs to take action to improve our roads, rails, bridges, and other infrastructure. That includes finally making progress on rural broadband, one issue that small businesses struggle with regardless of industry. Jared knows Maine small businesses also need qualified, experienced workers, and he’s working to meet that need by improving the skills of Maine’s workforce through training and apprenticeship programs. He understands that Washington regulations often hold Maine small businesses back, and he looks to cut red tape when regulations don’t make sense for Maine.

Maine’s Heritage Industries

Maine’s economy and culture are tied to our heritage industries – fishing, logging, shipbuilding, farming, and others – and they provide thousands of Mainers with good-paying jobs. These industries are the bedrock of many communities in Maine, particularly in rural areas. They rely on a skilled workforce, responsible use of our state’s abundant natural resources, and the hard work of generations of Mainers.

Jared has worked hard to make sure he understands the challenges Mainers working in these industries face. He’s traveled to farms throughout the Second District to learn from a wide variety of farmers about what they need to be successful and how he can help connect them with resources. Thousands of Mainers in the Second District build ships at Bath Iron Works and Jared has met them at the South Gate, in the union halls, and in the shipyard. Jared has used his position on the House Armed Services Committee to help protect these good shipbuilding jobs and ensure our country’s finest warships are ‘Bath-built, best-built’ far into the future.

When new proposed regulations threatened the livelihoods of Maine lobstermen earlier this year, Jared led the Maine delegation in speaking out. Since then, he has worked closely with the lobstering community to ensure the regulations are based on the best available evidence and don’t unfairly target lobstermen. He proposed a bold amendment to block the regulations until the underlying data had undergone a scientific peer review process. He also led the delegation to urge the president to intervene directly. Jared will continue to stand up for lobstermen and push back against misguided, burdensome regulations.

Each of Maine’s heritage industries is changing. Jared is focused on making sure the next generation of fishermen, loggers, shipbuilders, and farmers can count on stable jobs that support their families. He’s focused on opening up new markets to Maine products, addressing workforce shortages and preparing young Mainers to work in these fields, and fighting federal regulations that don’t work for Maine.

More Information

Services

Source: Government page

District

Source: Wikipedia

Maine’s 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Maine. Covering 27,326 square miles (70,770 km2), it comprises nearly 80% of the state’s total land area. The district comprises most of the land area north of the Portland and Augusta metropolitan areas. It includes the cities of Lewiston, Bangor, Auburn, and Presque Isle. The district is represented by Democrat Jared Golden, who took office in 2019.

It is the largest district by area east of the Mississippi River, and the 24th largest overall. It is the second-most rural district in the United States, with 72% of its population in rural areas, and it has the second highest proportion of non-Hispanic White residents (94%); only Kentucky’s 5th congressional district exceeds it in the two categories.[2] Furthermore, it is the only district in New England that voted for Donald Trump in 2020. Additionally, it was one of five districts that would have voted for Trump in 2020 had they existed in their current configuration while being won or held by a Democrat in 2022.

Wikipedia

Jared Forrest Golden (born July 25, 1982) is an American politician and a Marine Corps veteran serving as the U.S. representative for Maine’s 2nd congressional district since 2019.

A member of the Democratic Party, his district, the largest east of the Mississippi River by area, covers the northern four-fifths of the state, including Lewiston, Bangor, and Auburn. Golden’s district was concurrently carried by Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election in Maine.

Golden, along with Angus King and Chellie Pingree, are the first members of Congress to be elected by ranked-choice voting. Golden is the only member of Congress elected after finishing second in the first round of tabulation.[1][2] He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a United States Marine.

Early life and education

Golden was born in Lewiston and raised in Leeds.[3] He attended Leavitt Area High School. Golden enrolled as a student at the University of Maine at Farmington but left after one year to join the United States Marine Corps in 2002. He served combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.[4][5]

After returning home to Maine, Golden attended Bates College, graduating with a degree in history and politics.[6] He went on to work for an international logistics firm and then for Maine’s Republican Senator Susan Collins on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.[7][5]

Maine House of Representatives

Golden returned to Maine in 2013 to work for the House Democratic Office in the Maine Legislature. As a Democrat, Golden ran for and was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2014, representing part of the city of Lewiston. He was reelected in 2016. In the subsequent legislative session, Golden became Assistant House Majority Leader.[4] Golden chaired the Elections Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Joint Rules.[8]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 2

On August 24, 2017, Golden announced his candidacy against Bruce Poliquin to serve in the United States House of Representatives for Maine’s 2nd congressional district.[4] On June 20, 2018, he was declared the winner of the Democratic primary, defeating environmentalist Lucas St. Clair and bookstore owner Craig Olson.[9]

On election night, Golden trailed Poliquin by 2,000 votes. As neither candidate won a majority, Maine’s newly implemented ranked-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.[10] He is the first challenger to unseat an incumbent in the district since 1916.[11]

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. Judge Lance E. Walker rejected all of Poliquin’s arguments and upheld the certified results.[12] Poliquin appealed to the U.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.[13] On December 24, Poliquin dropped his lawsuit, allowing Golden to take the seat.[14]

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 2

Golden ran for reelection in 2020 and won the Democratic primary unopposed. His Republican opponent was Dale 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 and The Cook Political Report both rating the contest as “Likely Democratic”, and analysis website FiveThirtyEight 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.[15][16][17][18]

In November, Golden defeated Crafts 53%–47%, a closer margin than expected.[19] President Donald Trump carried the district in that same election.[20]

2022

See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 2

Golden ran for reelection in 2022 and won the Democratic primary unopposed.[21] He faced former Republican congressman Bruce 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 governor Paul LePage.[22] Polls again showed Golden with a lead,[23] but many organizations rated the seat as a “tossup”, as incumbent President Joe Biden was unpopular and inflation was approaching 40-year highs; Decision Desk HQ even gave the seat a “Leans Republican” rating.[24] Nonetheless, Golden led the field in the first round, and defeated Poliquin 53%–47% after Bond’s second-choice votes mostly flowed to him.[25]

Tenure

Golden (left) with Governor Janet Mills and the Maine congressional delegation.
Golden (second to right) tours a commercial timber site with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh.

Golden was sworn in on January 3, 2019. During the election for Speaker of the House, he voted against Democratic Caucus nominee Nancy Pelosi, as he had pledged to do during his campaign, instead voting for Representative Cheri Bustos of Illinois.[26] On December 18, 2019, Golden voted for Article I of the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump but was one of three Democrats to vote against Article II.[27]

On February 6, 2020, Golden endorsed Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado for president during the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[28]

As of August 2022, Golden had voted in line with Joe Biden‘s stated position 85.7% of the time, the lowest rate of any member of the Democratic caucus.[29]

Golden represents the second-most rural district in the United States, with 72% of its population in rural areas, and it has the second highest proportion of non-Hispanic White residents (94%); only Kentucky’s 5th congressional district exceeds it in the two categories.[30] Furthermore, Golden’s district was carried by Donald Trump in 2020, being the only district in New England to do so.

Build Back Better Act

Golden was the lone House Democrat to vote against the Build Back Better Act, citing concerns about the elimination of the $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction and the lack of prescription drug pricing reform.[31] He later joined all other Democrats in voting for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, an amended version of the original bill.[32]

COVID-19 policy

On January 31, 2023, Golden was among seven Democrats to vote for H.R.497: Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill that would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[33][34]

On February 1, 2023, Golden was among 12 Democrats to vote for a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[35][36]

Criminal justice reform

Golden was one of two Democrats to vote against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.[37] In a statement after the vote, Golden said the bill “includes many good provisions that would bring about positive change”, mentioning the establishment of a national registry for police misconduct, increased data collection, encouragement of deescalation tactics, and banning chokeholds unless deadly force is authorized. But he expressed concern about the provision that would restrict qualified immunity and lamented that there had “been no negotiations since the legislation’s first passage, and the bill before us retains those same problematic changes”.[38]

Education

On May 24, 2023, Golden was one of only two House Democrats, along with Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, to vote with Republicans to overturn President Biden’s student loan debt cancellation plan.[39]

Foreign policy

During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Golden organized a letter, signed by himself and other members of Congress, advocating for President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.[40]

Golden rejected calls for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[41] He voted in favor of a bill that would provide an additional $14.3 billion to support Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.[42]

Guns

Golden was the only Democrat to vote against the Bipartisan Background Checks Act to expand background checks on gun purchases and one of two House Democrats, along with Ron Kind of Wisconsin, to vote against the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, designed to close the so-called Charleston loophole. Both bills passed the House in March 2021.[43]

In 2022, Golden was one of two Democrats, the other being lame duck Kurt Schrader of Oregon, to vote against raising the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.[44]

On July 29, 2022, Golden and four other Democrats joined Republicans, aside from two who declined to run again for reelection, in voting against a bill banning assault weapons.[45]

However, following the 2023 Lewiston shootings in his hometown that killed 18 people, Golden reversed his position on October 26, 2023, apologizing and calling for Congress to ban assault weapons.[46]

Following the 2023 Lewiston shootings and his reversal on an assault weapons ban, Golden said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, “I really believe that any law-abiding and competent citizen should have fairly easy access to firearms.”[47] But, he said he began asking himself difficult questions in the wake of the shooting. “Am I going to start carrying an AR-15 slung over my shoulder when I go to the grocery store, when I go to a restaurant?” he said, noting 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?” he said.

Immigration

On May 8, 2024, Golden voted against the “Equal Representation Act.” This proposed law would have required that when counting the population of each state to determine the number of U.S. Representatives, noncitizens who are ineligible to vote would be excluded from the count.[48]

LGBT rights

On December 8, 2022, Golden voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would overturn the Defense of Marriage Act and federally protect same-sex and interracial marriages.[49]

On July 14, 2023, Golden was one of four Democrats who voted with the majority of House Republicans to pass the annual defense policy bill, which included provisions prohibiting Pentagon spending on abortion and transgender surgeries.[50]

Marijuana policy

Golden has an “A” rating from NORML for his voting record on cannabis-related matters.[51]

Trade

Golden was one of 38 Democrats to vote against the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement Implementation Act.[52] Explaining his vote, he said the law’s labeling requirements would not be enough to keep international companies from misbranding products, putting Maine’s businesses at a disadvantage. He said he was skeptical it would be enforced sufficiently to protect workers, saying “we have a bad track record” in doing so with other trade deals.[53]

Committee assignments

In the 118th Congress:[54]

Caucus memberships

Electoral history

Maine’s 2nd congressional district, 2018 Democratic primary elections results[58]
PartyCandidateRound 1Round 3
Votes%TransferVotes% (gross)% (net)
DemocraticJared Golden20,98746.4%+2,62423,61152.2%54.3%
DemocraticLucas St. Clair17,74239.2%+2,11119,85343.9%45.7%
DemocraticCraig Olson3,9938.8%-3,993Eliminated
DemocraticJonathan Fulford2,4895.5%-2,489Eliminated
Total active votes45,211100%43,464100.0%
Exhausted ballots–+1,7471,7473.9%
Total votes45,211100%45,211100.0%

% (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[59]
PartyCandidateRound 1Round 3
Votes%TransferVotes% (gross)% (net)
DemocraticJared Golden132,01345.6%+ 10,427142,44049.18%50.62%
RepublicanBruce Poliquin (incumbent)134,18446.3%+ 4,747138,93147.97%49.38%
IndependentTiffany Bond16,5525.7%– 16,552Eliminated
IndependentWill Hoar6,8752.4%– 6,875Eliminated
Total active votes289,624100%281,371100%
Exhausted ballots–+8,2538,2532.85%
Total votes289,624100%289,624100%

% (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, 2020[60]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJared Golden (incumbent) 197,974 53.0
RepublicanDale Crafts175,22846.9
Write-in330.0
Total votes373,235 100.0
Democratic hold
Maine’s 2nd congressional district, 2022 results[61]
PartyCandidateRound 1Round 2
Votes%TransferVotes% (gross)% (net)
DemocraticJared Golden
(incumbent)		153,07448.38%+ 12,062165,13652.20%53.05%
RepublicanBruce Poliquin141,26044.65%+ 4,882146,14246.19%46.95%
IndependentTiffany Bond21,6556.84%– 21,655Eliminated
Write-in3930.12%– 393Eliminated
Total active votes316,382100%311,278100%
Exhausted ballots–+ 5,1045,1041.61%
Total votes316,382100%316,382100%
Democratic hold

% (gross) = percent of all valid votes cast (without eliminating the exhausted votes)

% (net) = percent of votes cast after eliminating the exhausted votes

Personal life

Golden’s wife Isobel (née Moiles) served as a city councilor in Lewiston from 2016 to 2018.[62][63] They have two daughters.[64] Golden has at least five tattoos from his time serving in the U.S. military, including a Celtic Cross tattoo on his forearm and a “devil dog“.[65][66]

References

  1. ^ Lessig, Lawrence (November 16, 2018). “Ranked-choice voting worked in Maine. Now we should use it in presidential races”. USA Today. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  2. ^ Bradner, Eric (November 15, 2018). “Democrats flip another House seat after ranked-choice runoff in Maine | CNN Politics”. CNN. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Collins, Steve (September 9, 2018). “Jared Golden: From combat to candidate for Congress”. Sun Journal. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Thistle, Scott (August 24, 2017). “Jared Golden, a leading Democrat in Maine House, announces run for U.S. Congress”. Portland Press Herald. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Collins, Steve (September 9, 2018). “Jared Golden: From combat to candidate for Congress”. Sun Journal. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  6. ^ Shepherd, Michael (August 24, 2017). “Poliquin may have to beat a Marine veteran to keep his seat”. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  7. ^ “Jared Golden calls himself a veteran who still wants to serve”. Sun Journal. August 23, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  8. ^ “Member Profile – Historical View”. The Maine House of Representatives. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Collins, Steve (June 20, 2018). “Democrat Jared Golden declared winner of congressional primary”. Sun Journal. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  10. ^ “Jared Golden declared winner of first ranked-choice congressional election, but challenge looms”. Portland Press Herald. November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  11. ^ Taylor, Kate; Stack, Liam (November 15, 2018). “Maine’s Bruce Poliquin, Lone Republican in House From New England, Loses Re-election”. The New York Times.
  12. ^ Collins, Steve (December 13, 2018). “Federal court rules against Bruce Poliquin’s challenge of ranked-choice voting”. Sun Journal. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  13. ^ Mistler, Steve. “Poliquin’s Request To Block Certification Of 2nd District Election”. Maine Public. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  14. ^ Murphy, Edward (December 24, 2018). “Poliquin drops challenge to ranked-choice voting, clearing way for Golden to take seat in Congress”. Portland Press Herald. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  15. ^ “Maine’s Second District – Crafts vs. Golden”. RealClearPolitics. November 3, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  16. ^ “2020 House race ratings”. Sabato’s Crystal Ball. November 2, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  17. ^ “2020 House race ratings”. The Cook Political Report. November 2, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  18. ^ “Golden is clearly favored to win Maine’s 2nd District”. FiveThirtyEight. November 3, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  19. ^ “Maine Election Results: Second Congressional District”. The New York Times. February 11, 2021.
  20. ^ “Trump holds electoral vote in northern Maine”. Politico. January 6, 2021.
  21. ^ “Maine Second Congressional District Primary Election Results”. The New York Times. June 15, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  22. ^ “Maine police group’s endorsement of Golden could undercut key GOP attack”. Maine Public. July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  23. ^ St Pierre, Ariana (October 21, 2022). “New poll gives insight into key political races in Maine”. WPFO. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  24. ^ “DDHQ 2022 Election Forecast”. forecast.decisiondeskhq.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  25. ^ Collins, Steve (November 17, 2022). “Completed count shows Rep. Jared Golden won big in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District”. Press Herald. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  26. ^ “Maine’s new Rep. Golden votes against Pelosi for House speaker”. Portland Press Herald. Associated Press. January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  27. ^ Foran, Clare; Byrd, Haley (December 18, 2019). “Democrat to split his vote on impeachment articles”. CNN. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  28. ^ Cadelago, Christopher; Mutnick, Ally (February 6, 2020). “Michael Bennet’s first House endorsement is from Trump Country”. Politico. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  29. ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  30. ^ “Congressional Districts – 113th Congress Demographics – Urban Rural Patterns”. proximityone.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  31. ^ Choi, Joseph (November 19, 2021). “Jared Golden sole Democrat to vote against Build Back Better Act”. The Hill.
  32. ^ “Roll Call 420, Bill Number: H. R. 5376, 117th Congress, 2nd Session”. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. August 12, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  33. ^ “Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers”. January 31, 2023.
  34. ^ “On Passage – H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on”. August 12, 2015.
  35. ^ “House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency”. February 2023.
  36. ^ “On Passage – H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by”. August 12, 2015.
  37. ^ “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 — Mar 3, 2021”. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. March 3, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  38. ^ “Maine Rep. Jared Golden votes against House police reform bill”. News Center Maine. March 4, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  39. ^ Binkley, Collin (May 24, 2023). “House GOP passes resolution overturning student loan cancellation; Biden vows veto”. Associated Press. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  40. ^ O’Brien, Connor (February 17, 2023). “Democrats, Republicans join up to urge Biden to send F-16s to Ukraine”. Politico. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  41. ^ “Portland City Council unanimously backs resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza”. Maine Morning Star. January 4, 2024.
  42. ^ “Activists arrested at Rep. Golden’s Bangor office amid increased calls for ceasefire in Gaza”. Maine Morning Star. November 9, 2023.
  43. ^ Conradis, Brandon (March 11, 2021). “The eight Republicans who voted to tighten background checks on guns”. The Hill. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  44. ^ “House passes slate of bills to restrict access to guns and ammunition; it faces long odds in Senate”. NBC News. June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  45. ^ Lee, Ella (July 30, 2022). “Who are the 7 House members who broke with their party in voting on assault weapons ban?”. USA Today. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  46. ^ Robertson, Nick (October 26, 2023). “Maine Democrat calls for assault weapons ban after past opposition”. The Hill. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  47. ^ Kesling, Ben (November 10, 2023). “Maine Lawmaker Looked at His AR-15 Differently After Lewiston Massacre”. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  48. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (May 8, 2024). “Roll Call 193 Roll Call 193, Bill Number: H. R. 7109, 118th Congress, 2nd Session”. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 1, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  49. ^ Dormido, Hannah; Blanco, Adrian; Perry, Kati (December 8, 2022). “Here’s which House members voted for or against the Respect for Marriage Act”. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  50. ^ Richards, Zoë; Kaplan, Rebecca; Shabad, Rebecca (July 14, 2023). “House passes defense bill after GOP adopts abortion and transgender surgery amendments”. NBC News. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  51. ^ “Jared Golden (D – ME)”. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  52. ^ “United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act — Dec 19, 2019”. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. December 19, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  53. ^ “Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree will vote against revised NAFTA trade pact”. WGME. December 19, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  54. ^ “Committees and Caucuses”. Representative Jared Golden. December 13, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  55. ^ “Members”. Blue Dog Coalition. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  56. ^ “For Country Caucus Announces Chairs, Members for 117th Congress”. Representative Jared Golden. February 25, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  57. ^ “Featured Members”. Problem Solvers Caucus. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  58. ^ “Tabulations for Elections held in 2018”. www.maine.gov. Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections and Voting, Tabulations. June 12, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  59. ^ “Results Certified to the Governor 11/26/18”. www.maine.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  60. ^ “November 3, 2020 General Election”. Maine Department of Secretary of State. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  61. ^ MaineSOS [@MESecOfState] (November 16, 2022). “Full Summary report here:” (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  62. ^ Collins, Steve (August 23, 2017). “Lewiston’s Jared Golden takes aim at congressional seat”. Sun Journal. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  63. ^ “Moiles — Golden”. Sun Journal. October 19, 2014.
  64. ^ “Jared Golden welcomes daughter”. Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. May 16, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  65. ^ “Super PAC Blasts Democratic Candidate’s Marine Tattoos”. Newsweek. August 28, 2018.
  66. ^ Clawson, Laura (August 27, 2018). “Republican super PAC attacks combat veteran for having tattoos”. Daily Kos. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by

 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Maine’s 2nd congressional district
2019–present		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by

as Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration

 Chair of the Blue 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 by

as Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Communications

Succeeded by

as Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Communications

Preceded by

Himself

as Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration and Communications

 Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition for Administration
2023–present
Served alongside: Marie Pérez (Communications), Mary Peltola (Policy)		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

 United States representatives by seniority
242nd		Succeeded by


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Golden