Retiring Maine Representative Says Competitive Districts Wear Down Members
Rep. Jared Golden said constant campaigns in swing districts take a toll on lawmakers. He held Maine's 2nd District for four terms despite the area favoring Republicans in presidential voting. Voters select his successor Tuesday under ranked-choice voting.
Washington ExaminerRetiring Rep. Jared Golden said constant campaigns in competitive congressional districts wear down members over time. Maine's 2nd Congressional District is one of the reddest seats held by a Democrat. President Donald Trump won the district by 9 points in 2024. Golden held the seat for four terms and won his final race by less than 1 point.
"I also think that these districts, the truly competitive ones, they'll wear anyone down," Golden told the Washington Examiner. He added that the job requires people who can give it full effort and said members eventually ask themselves whether they can continue to meet those demands. Rep. Don Bacon expressed a similar view last year when announcing his retirement.
"Under the surface, people are still doing good work here, and you get good things done every now and again, that's why you're here," Golden said. The two-year House cycle keeps members in campaign mode. Golden said members who represent competitive districts are often among those who cross party lines on legislation.
Voters head to the polls Tuesday to choose Golden's successor. Results may not be known immediately because Maine uses ranked-choice voting. Golden said that in most ranked-choice races, the candidate leading after the first round wins if no one reaches 50 percent.
