Maine Democrats Hold Primary for Open 2nd District House Seat

Maine voters will decide the Democratic nominee for the state’s 2nd Congressional District on June 9. The seat opened after Rep. Jared Golden announced he would not seek reelection. The district covers the more rural and conservative-leaning areas of the state and has supported President Trump in each of the past three presidential elections. In 2024, Trump carried the district by nine points.

The four Democratic candidates are state Sen.

Joe Baldacci, state auditor Matthew Dunlap, social worker Paige Loud, and former congressional staffer Jordan Wood. All four have positioned themselves to the left of Golden on policy issues. A May 27 University of New Hampshire poll showed Wood and Baldacci leading with 23 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

Dunlap received 17 percent and Loud 14 percent. Wood leads in fundraising with more than $5.7 million raised. Dunlap has raised about $930,000.

General Election Outlook Former Gov.

Paul LePage is the presumptive Republican nominee and faces no primary opposition. President Trump endorsed LePage in December. A June 2025 poll found LePage with 43 percent favorable and 44 percent unfavorable ratings. Maine uses ranked-choice voting in primaries with more than two candidates, which could affect the final Democratic nominee.

University of Maine political science professor Mark Brewer noted that a generic ballot question in the district favors Republicans, while University of Maine, Farmington professor Jim Melcher said the November race is expected to be competitive regardless of the Democratic choice.