Democrats Are Actively Recruiting a Replacement for Jared Golden

There’s already a Democratic primary race underway for the seat Rep. Jared Golden announced he would be leaving at the end of his term.

Former congressional aide Jordan Wood, who was running for Senate, decided to hop into the primary Nov. 12 instead, joining a race that already included state auditor Matt Dunlap.

Wood, who is entering the race with around $920,000 cash on hand from his Senate campaign, said he switched because there wasn’t a “viable Democratic campaign to go up against Paul LePage, to hold this district and to have an independent representative who was fighting for the people.”

However, a source familiar with Democratic recruiting efforts said Wood’s entrance into the primary has not affected the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s recruitment process, and it is still actively looking for people to enter the primary.

“The DCCC continues to work closely with local partners, community leaders, members of the delegation, and grassroots organizations within the district to identify the strongest possible candidate to represent Mainers — someone who truly reflects the district and will fight every day for the people who call it home,” the source said in a statement.

Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage is the only Republican running in the race. Before Golden dropped out, a University of New Hampshire poll showed LePage leading Golden by 5 percentage points in October. Since Golden has left the race, prognosticators have moved the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District from a toss up to leaning Republican or likely Republican.

As Democrats look to win back the House majority, races like this one are poised to be some of the most high-pressure contests in the country for the party. Golden himself said it is a “possibility” that Democrats lose the seat with him not running. “It’s the reddest district held by any Democrat in America,” he said.

He did not comment on who he thought should run in his place. “That’s a decision for them to make. I’m not trying to play kingmaker,” Golden said.

Wood said he’s not surprised the DCCC is continuing recruitment efforts because “the party committees are not quick to make a decision, and they want candidates to prove themselves and earn that endorsement and prove their viability.”

“I in no way expected the D.C. establishment to recruit me or to get behind me off the bat, only through hard work and earning it,” Wood said. “It makes sense to me that they would be evaluating the situation and keep their options open.”

Wood added that the national party shouldn’t weigh in too heavily. “I don’t think I have yet to meet a single voter all year who was looking for politicians in Washington to make that decision for them,” he said.

Dunlap entered the primary against Golden in October. He told NOTUS that DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene discouraged him from running when he first expressed interest.

In response to the DCCC’s recruitment for someone else in the primary, Harry Burke, Dunlap’s campaign manager, warned against national party involvement. “Insider types try to put their thumb on the scale in these races. I just don’t really think it ends well for anybody involved,” Burke said.

“We think they should stay out of it and let the voters decide who they want to get through this primary,” Burke said. “The last thing people should do is underestimate Matt Dunlap in this race. He got in maybe six weeks ago, and it took him that long to drive Jared Golden out of it. So I don’t think you can overlook that in the dynamics of this primary.”

Other names have been thrown out as possibilities, such as former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson who is running for governor, or Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation. State Sen. Joe Baldacci has confirmed that he is considering jumping into the primary.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, who represents Maine’s 1st Congressional District, said she expects the Democratic primary will become “a crowded field by the time it gets all settled.”

Wood is already making the case that he’s in a better position to run than some of those possible candidates.

“Because I was running for U.S. Senate it was very easy for me to transition this campaign to a House race, all of our resources are transferable,” he said. “We’ve raised $3.5 million and built up an entire infrastructure in this campaign that very easily becomes a House campaign. You can’t do that with the statewide gubernatorial campaign.”

Dunlap’s campaign, meanwhile, says it’s forging ahead regardless of who is entering the contest.

“We’re not changing anything about our campaign because Jordan Wood is moving into this district and into this race,” Burke said. “We’re just focused on delivering our agenda of Medicare for all, living wages, affordable childcare and meeting voters and town halls and farmers markets and on street corners and all those things.”

As Democrats scramble to sort out their primary, Republicans are sounding in lockstep behind LePage. Sen. Susan Collins has also backed LePage’s candidacy.

Brent Littlefield, LePage’s strategist, said LePage has won the 2nd District every single time he has been on the ballot there.

Littlefield said that he thinks the recent polling showing LePage ahead is why Golden dropped out of the race.

“Every public poll showed Paul LePage beating him, that lead growing over the summer. And I think that people expect he’s going to do quite well in the election next November, regardless of who the Democrats nominate,” Littlefield said.

Back in Washington, some are still lamenting Golden’s decision to not seek reelection.

“I like Jared, and he’s a very thoughtful and capable guy,” Sen. Angus King said. “I understand it. I mean running in one of the most competitive districts in the country every two years is tough, and he’s got a young family. And I get the decision, but I think it’s a loss for Maine.”

King did not comment on who he thinks should run in the Democratic primary.