Maine state Sen. Joe Baldacci announced on Monday that he is running for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, joining a Democratic primary to take over the competitive seat of retiring Rep. Jared Golden.
“I’m running for Congress because Maine needs a fighter in Washington D.C. — someone who understands what it means when groceries, health care, and housing become unaffordable, and who will actually do something about it. I’ll vote to restore ACA subsidies, protect Social Security and Medicare, crack down on corporate greed, and stand up for small businesses and working families,” Baldacci, who NOTUS previously reported was planning a run, said in a statement.
“I’ve taken on Paul LePage before and won, and I’ll do it again in November,” he continued, referring to the Republican candidate, who was governor when Baldacci served in the Bangor City Council. “That’s what Maine needs right now — and that’s why I’m in this fight.”
Before announcing his run, Baldacci made a Facebook post listing issues he would like to see addressed, including campaign finance reform, term limits for lawmakers and limits on their stock trading.
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Maine’s 2nd District is seen as one of the most at-risk districts for Democrats. In 2024, President Donald Trump won the district by 9 percentage points.
Baldacci joins a Democratic primary with State Auditor Matt Dunlap, former congressional aide Jordan Wood and political newcomer Paige Loud.
Along with LePage, army veteran James Clark is running for the Republican nomination.
The National Republican Congressional Committee quickly attacked Baldacci after his announcement.
“If radical Democrat Joe Baldacci thinks his woke, pro-crime policies and violent, anti-Trump rhetoric is a winning formula for this district, he has another think coming,” spokesperson Maureen O’Toole said in a statement.
Since 2020, Baldacci has represented the cities of Bangor and Hermon in the Maine state Senate, and previously served as Bangor mayor and as a city councilor. He also maintains a general law practice in Bangor.
“Maine’s Second District has already been rocked by mill closures, rising housing costs, and out-of-state interests cashing in as our towns get left behind,” Baldacci said in a statement. “Mainers deserve someone in Washington who answers only to the people of this district.”
Baldacci’s brother, John, represented the 2nd Congressional District from 1995 to 2003, and then served as Maine governor until 2011. Joe Baldacci briefly ran for the House in 2016, but bowed out due to a lack of funds.
This story has been updated with a comment from the National Republican Congressional Committee.
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